SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 16 | march 2016
18 FEATURE
THE WILDEST GAME Amanda Lynn Mayhew lets us in on a whole different kind of hunting (and cooking!).
24 FEATURE
death of the gun bunny Niki Jones has some theories about a trend that’s time has come and gone.
TRAINING 06
GLOCK GIRLS
12
striker vs. hammer
14
pushing through injury
17 one to watch: chloe messersmith
Feature pictorial by dustin meyer 26 Sure Shot jami cracks the code
LIFESTYLE 32 style me tactical: My first gun & gear 34 WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY: jessie dussart 36 integrity
Photo by Christian Pinella.
39
bear and chicken fried rice
REVIEWS 40
The Marilyn holster by flashbang
42
5.11 Women’s Raven Range Tight
44 502 CONCEALMENT GUN BENCH by American furniture classics
AK47 customized by/courtesy of Scalpel Arms.
FROM THE EDITOR
I
have to admit, when I was pitched the story of bear hunting for this issue, my first reaction was no way. I had no idea that bear hunting was common in Canada, and that bear meat was eaten by Canadians regularly. While Sure Shots Magazine is officially and unequivocally against trophy hunting, we are all for hunting for food, so I was happy to broaden my knowledge of this foreign (literally!) concept. I’m proud of our Bear Hunting feature, but I will admit that even though Amanda Lynn Mayhew provided some epic photos of bears post-take, the animal-lover in me opted to not run those pics, and I stand behind my choice. But I would love to try this issue’s bear and chicken fried rice recipe, so if anyone knows of any bear meat available in Central Texas, hook a girl up! Speaking of being hooked up, before they were even released to the public, 5.11 Tactical sent me their much-talked-about Raven Range Tights (a.k.a. “Tactical Yoga Pants”) to try out and review, which I did in this issue. It’s (finally) spring in Texas, and Becca and I have been hitting matches hard each weekend, and having a blast! We’ve been mixing it up and shooting 3Gun, IDPA, and I even tackled my first USPSA match. We’ve got some fun and exciting news on this subject, but you’ll have to wait for our next issue for all to be revealed! It’s always interesting to me to see new shooters’ choices when they get their first guns and gear, and our ultra-stylish contributor Emily of Style Me Tactical lets us take a peek at hers. And, finally, I was thrilled to be able to celebrate the “real gun girls” that are so ubiquitous now. I’m lucky to count a great portion of them as friends, and there are literally hundreds more out there that we would love to get to know, so if you’re a “real gun girl,” email us at sureshotsmagazine@gmail.com and tell us all about yourself... because you’re awesome!
Some of our favorite Real Gun Girls at SHOT Show this year: Clockwise from top: Niki Jones, Becca Spinks, Ursula Williams, Carrin Welch, Nikki Raye, Jenna Johnson, Holly Gaylor
Becca and me shooting a 3-Gun match, Texas-style (with bovine friends)! 4 | sure shots mag | issue 16
Bear in a backyard! (I actually find him really cute.)
3-Gun photo by Jonathan Foo. Bear photo by Irena Mayhew.
Shoot straight! -Niki
Founder and editor-in-chief
Niki Jones associate editor and webmaster
Carrin Welch Copy Editor
Jenna Johnson Content Lead
Becca Spinks contributors
Cheyenne Dalton Terry Dalton Jessie Dussart Chance Hartman Jonathan Foo Amanda Lynn Mayhew Irena Mayhew Chloe Messersmith Dustin Meyer Tori Nonaka Christian Pinella Emily Valentine Michelle Viscusi Kirsten Joy Weiss
Sure Shots Magazine is a free publication. For submission requirements, email sureshotsmagazine@gmail.com All content Š2016 Sure Shots Magazine. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at sureshotsmagazine.com. For ad sales contact SureShotsMagAds@gmail.com.
GLOCK
GIRLS 6 | sure shots mag | issue 16
Photos courtesy of GLOCK.
Team Glock’s beautiful and talented shooters Tori Nonaka and Michelle Viscusi are the ultimate role models for young shooters everywhere. Sure Shots Magazine asked them each what life was like as a member of one of the most prestigious competitive shooting teams in the world. sureshotsmagazine.com |  7
Tori Nonaka
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Sure Shots Magazine: Where is the Glock team based? Tori Nonaka: I live in Northern VA. SSM: How does someone get chosen to be on Team Glock? Are there tryouts? What are the requirements? TN: I shot GLOCK as a junior shooter and won several titles. Later, when I was 15, they asked me to join the team. GLOCK does look for new talent. It’s most important to be a good representative of the shooting sports and yourself. SSM: How often do you practice? TN: I practice everyday during season. Shooting is a perishable skill so it’s important to train often. SSM: How much ammo do you go through on a typical day of training? TN: I tend to shoot 500 to 1000 rounds a day depending on what drills I am focusing on. SSM: Do you have an exercise program that goes along with your training, and if so, what do you think is the single best non-shooting exercise for improving your shooting skills? TN: Striving for a better fitness level is important to improve your shooting level. I don’t recommend lifting heavy weights because that has little practical use for the shooting sports. It’s beneficial to do circuit workouts that are scaled to your capacity and explosive running drills. SSM: Do you have a pre-match ritual? TN: Before a match, I eat a proper breakfast, throw on my jersey and listen to some music. I just try to relax and trust that the training I did before the match will prove to be enough for any obstacle there may be. SSM: Of all of the national and international matches that the team participates in, is there a particular match that’s a team favorite?
SSM: With all of the travel involved, what do you do to stay on top of your game? TN: To stay on top of my game I find balance in everything I do. I eat nourishing food and stay hydrated. SSM: What’s your ultimate goal for 2016? TN: For 2016 I just want to continue winning and setting new personal records for myself. I am very excited that the season has started.
Photo courtesy of GLOCK.
TN: I really enjoy shooting the Austral-Asian match that happens every three years. A lot of great talent comes out to compete and the weather is good.
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MICHELLE Viscusi
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Sure Shots Magazine: Where is the Glock team based? Michelle Viscusi: I live in Phoenix, Arizona, but HQ is the GLOCK facility in Syrmna, GA. SSM: How does someone get chosen to be on Team Glock? Are there tryouts? What are the requirements? MV: I was picked based on the potential they saw in me. I had to try out and shoot a match with the team captain back in 2012. Then I sat down to meet with the Vice Presidents. I must have done something right. SSM: How often do you practice? MV: When the season starts back up, I typically practice 3-4 times a week and also shooting weekend matches when they’re available. SSM: How much ammo do you go through on a typical day of training? MV: Everyone asks this question and it’s always hard to answer. It depends on what type of training I’m doing on that specific day. It can be anywhere from 400 to 2,000 rounds. SSM: Do you have an exercise program that goes along with your training, and if so, what do you think is the single best non-shooting exercise for improving your shooting skills? MV: I work out five times a week. I try to stay in shape so that I’m able to move out on the course and build muscles so I can handle any firearm. Agility courses are probably the best to help keep up with shooting. Setting up some cones and working on your footwork really works well. Also, dry firing at least 15 minutes each day will really help improve your shooting skills. SSM: Do you have a pre-match ritual? MV: My pre-match ritual is to stay positive. I motivate myself by only thinking on a positive outcome. I will walk through the stages beforehand and then replay the stage in my head as much as I can before I get to the shooting line. SSM: Of all of the national and international matches that the team participates in, is there a particular match that’s a team favorite?
SSM: With all of the travel involved, what do you do to stay on top of your game? MV: Dry firing is key! When I was pregnant in 2014, all I did was dry fire to stay on top of my game. SSM: What’s your ultimate goal for 2016? MV: My ultimate goal for 2016 is to become an A class shooter. I want to give it my all this year and set a new goal for myself. I want to do better than what I did in 2015. Lastly, I want to stay positive and enjoy myself.
Photo courtesy of GLOCK.
MV: I can personally say that I enjoy all of the matches we attend. There’s always something to take from each match that you can learn from. I enjoyed our time at the Alaska Sectional and Fun Gun championship in Italy.
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Hammer Fire vs. Striker Fire for Dummies
- story and photos by carrin welch -
12 |  sure shots mag |  issue 16
H ave you heard “striker fire” and thought to yourself, What does that
even mean? Or listened to people argue over “striker” or “hammer” and wondered what the big deal was? I’ve been there. That didn’t make me a “dummy”—it just meant that I hadn’t learned it yet. Guns weren’t a part of my life before attending my first Austin Sure Shots practice about five years ago. In the beginning, I just assumed they all worked the same: pull the trigger and it goes bang. As in the case with most things, there are many variables that can make one tool either slightly or drastically different from another. I am naturally curious about the way things work; so it didn’t take long to learn that there are infinite details and differences in firearms. I also have the great fortune of knowing many gun-savvy people that share that knowledge freely, no matter how irritatingly endless my questions may seem. Sometimes I understand quickly, and sometimes I need it broken down into the most basic explanation. That is what I hope to do here—a simple description of the basics and a tiny bit of history.
The Very Basics All guns have a part that is propelled forward to make contact with the primer of the ammunition cartridge. That ignites the powder in the cartridge, and the pressure from that teeny-tiny explosion sends the projectile down the barrel. In almost all firearms this is called the firing pin, and it is set in motion either by being struck by the hammer (hammer fire) or released from spring tension (striker fire).
Hammer Fire Some firearms have hammers. The hammer is the part of a gun that is released when the trigger is fully pressed. It moves forward to hit a firing pin, which then hits the primer of the cartridge. Typically made of metal, the hammer was traditionally similar in shape to a nail hammer, hence the name. Most hammer-fired handguns
have the hammer exposed, and many of them have external safety mechanisms or decockers. The most widely-known hammer fire is the 1911. Designed by John Moses Browning, the Colt 1911 became the official sidearm of the U.S. Armed Forces in March of 1911. Originally it was only available in .45 ACP; now you can find 1911s chambered in .22, .380 ACP, 9mm, 10mm, .40 S&W, 38 Super, and recently .357 SIG. Over the years there have been many other handguns designed with hammers, by various manufacturers like Beretta, Walther Arms, and Sig Sauer. U.S. Navy SEAL Teams started using the SIG P226 in the 1980s.
Striker Fire The “striker,” or firing pin, in a striker fire handgun functions through tension provided by springs alone. Until the trigger is fully engaged, the striker is held under spring tension. Once released, it is propelled forward to strike the primer. All of the action is encased in the slide of the handgun. Often they do not have external safeties, though there are a few on the market that do. The striker fire system has been around since the 1970s when H&K developed the VP70 for European law enforcement, it was the first poly-framed handgun in production. GLOCK is by far the most common and well-known striker fire platform, but other manufacturers (like Springfield, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Kahr, FN, and H&K) realized the benefits and growing popularity of the striker fire system and offer their own versions. Both of these platforms have devotees that can argue that their choice is the best. In my opinion, there is no winner or loser here; it all comes down to personal preference. The best way to understand the difference is f irsthand experience. So get out there and go shooting!
Striker fire pros
HAMMER fire pros
3S ingle-action trigger, allowing a consistent trigger pull every time
3 On double-action/ single-action versions, the first pull is heavier, which some people prefer for carrying. After that first pull, the trigger is lighter or shorter, making for easier and more accurate follow-up shots.
3N o external hammer means fewer moving external parts to get caught up in clothing, etc. 3 Very often will have a polymer frame, making it lighter and a little easier to carry 3 Sexy, modern design
“In my opinion, there is no winner or loser here; it all comes down to personal preference.”
—Carrin Welch
3 Typically they are allmetal, adding weight and reducing recoil. 3 Sexy, traditional style
sureshotsmagazine.com | 13
I bought my first gun at age 19, a semi-automatic Charles Daly 20-gauge shotgun. I took it out religiously, shooting clays and targets, and it stayed next to my bed at night. As a single college student living in a sometimes shady area of San Antonio, personal protection was very important to me. As soon as I turned 21, I bought my first personal protection handgun: a Smith & Wesson .45 compact. I enjoyed going out to the range with my friends and learning how to shoot. The recoil of that little .45 compact was significant! I dreamt of becoming a great target shooter as well as a woman fully capable of defending herself with a firearm if need be. I got my concealed handgun license at age 22. BY BECCA SPINKS It’s strange how suddenly things can change in life. In 2007, at age 23, I took a fall in my apartment and put my hand through a plate glass window in my bedroom. It still seems unbelievable to me how such a clumsy, silly accident could change the course of my entire life. The laceration on the inside of my right forearm was well Most of you know a little about over an inch deep. I still remember the surgeon’s chilling words to me before I went me already, but very few people into emergency surgery. He told me I had a 50% chance of losing my right arm. The trauma surgeons at University Hospital reattached 2 severed tendons and 3 severed really know my story. I meet a muscle bellies. They put a stitch or two in my ulnar artery, thankfully only nicked in great many people during my the accident. A nerve was exposed and had been damaged, the extent of which would shooting adventures who are remain a mystery for some time. I lost so much blood that I was in the hospital for 6 working through injuries and days while my red blood cell count stabilized. After I awoke from surgery, the surgeon came to me and told me I had an angel holding me when I went through that window. surgeries, even chronic pain. I’m He was in disbelief how close I had come to losing my arm during surgery, and that sharing my story today in hopes they were able to save it. The final outcome, he said, depended on the amount of effort that it will help someone, even I was willing to put forth during therapy, but I would likely never regain full function if it’s just one person, to realof my hand. So much for my dreams of becoming a great target shooter. The next two years crawled by painfully. I was completely immobilized for 6 ize that they have the power to months, and partially immobilized for another 6 months. I developed a painful achieve more than they know. condition called RSD from the nerve damage, and developed tendonitis/bursitis in For years I let my injuries define my wrist, elbow, and shoulder as a result of the long immobilization period. Even so, I tirelessly worked at my hand therapy, determined to regain as much function as me. Now that I am free of that my injury would allow. The doctors urged me to learn to write left-handed, certain I downtrodden mentality, I have would not regain enough use of my right hand to hold a pen and write again. Every finally realized my true potential, day for two years I fought through the pain and the therapy to get myself back to and so can you. normal. I will never forget the day I picked up a pen and wrote my initials, with the help of my amazing therapist. With that single pen stroke, I was able to convince myself that the doctors were wrong. I was strong enough to make a full recovery. And, I was ready to start shooting again! When I started going back to the range, my right index finger was not strong enough to press even the lightest trigger with good control, and I decided [The doctor] told me I would have to switch hands if I wished to succeed. Shooting lefty was extremely awkward at first, but fortunately, I learned I have a left eye I had a 50% chance of dominance! Suddenly things were beginning to make sense. Maybe I losing my right arm. was meant to be a lefty shooter all along. As I continued to heal and progress, my shooting improved slowly but steadily. I began working out. After two crazy, confusing, and painful years, things were finally starting to come together again. I met Jonathan Foo at Lonestar Handgun range rather randomly one day. He told me that he was into competitive shooting and introduced me to the sport. I was thrilled to learn that such a sport existed! Foo taught me how to hold the gun, how to breathe, how to move, and how to perform at competition matches. I began shooting competitively in 2009, and the rest, I suppose, is history. But my trials had not ended yet. In 2013, an old knee injury flared up, exacerbated by my training. Over the next two years I would have two major knee surgeries, each keeping me out of shooting for months at a time. There were times when I sunk into deep depression, wondering if I was doomed to be injured on the sidelines my whole life. I became embarrassed about my misfortunes. When my friends teased me, in good sport, about being so injury
Pushing Through
Injury
14 | sure shots mag | issue 16
prone, I would take it with a smile. But deep down I was devastated because I felt weak and helpless. I would come home from a shooting match and just cry. When I sank to my lowest, I tried to remind myself of what I had gone through with my arm, and that I had survived worse. I just needed to work harder, train harder, and believe in myself. The pain made me tough. Crawling out of depression after repeated injuries made me strong. There was no room for shame or embarrassment, only for the will to overcome the adversity life had thrown at me. Today, I am still in pain. I feel it every time I shoot and every time I train. I feel the numbness in my arm, the aching in my scar, the residual wrist, elbow, and shoulder pain every time I do a pushup. I feel the tightness and aching in my knee every time I squat or run. The pain reminds me of how strong I am. Today, as a sponsored 3-Gun competitor, I am finally living my dream. And when I’m at the shooting line and the buzzer goes off, the pain disappears. It is replaced by an intense focus and an adrenaline dump. Pew pew pew. At the end of my run, the pain is temporarily numbed by the excitement and thrill of the match. Tomorrow is gonna hurt! But, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Tips for Pushing Through an Injury Listen to your body. It knows you the best! It’s ok to train through some pain, however, you must use common sense to know how much is too much. Don’t push too hard and reinjure yourself. It’s not worth it, trust me!
Listen to your DOCTOR! Only your doctor/surgeon knows the specifics of your limitations. Tell him/her the truth about your hobbies and ask for a realistic estimation of when you can return to shooting activities.
Know that there is an end in sight. After an injury, it can start to seem as though you will never get better. Even though the reality is that you will heal, there may be some shadow of a doubt that keeps you in an anxious state about your recovery. Focusing on positive thoughts and practicing guided mediation can help relieve some of this anxiety.
Photos courtesy of Becca Spinks.
Move towards a “new normal.” Fact is, you may never be the same as you were before injury, but human beings are master adaptors. Don’t let your injury define you. Keep focused and you will find ways to overcome your limitations. Doing things in a different way may even make you better at them! First trip back to the range post-injury, 2008
sureshotsmagazine.com | 15
ONE TO WATCH
CHLOE MESSERSMITH
AUSTIN
TEXAS
Age: 11 Grade: 5th Age started shooting: 9 Competes in: Currently Steel Challenge; working toward 2- and 3-Gun Competition gun: Sig Sauer 1911-22 Favorite gun and why: “I have two favorites: my Sig 1911-22 because it’s the gun I am currently shooting, and my Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22, which is the gun I started competing with.” Future goals for shooting: “To always be safe, to get faster and more accurate, and to keep having fun” Future non-shooting goals: To become a Marine Biologist Other hobbies: Girl Scouts, school choir, and Destination Imagination
Photo by Snippets of life Photography.
Sponsors: Sure Shots; Sure Shots Magazine; Froglube, High Speed Gear, Hard Corps Tactical, Estrada Tactical, Central Texas Cerakote
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In canada, it’s the norm to hunt (and cook and eat!) black bear. By AMANDA LYNN MAYHEW
18 | sure shots mag | issue 16
sureshotsmag.com |  19
noses up when I answer the question “What is your favorite wild game to eat?” with a reply of “Black Bear.”
Now that I have your attention, let me explain why I am passionate about black bear hunting.
20 | sure shots mag | issue 16
The black bear’s intense sense of smell and hearing make them ideal for the hunter that is looking for a challenge, but also great game for the hunting newbie. To me, bear hunting was the next step in raising my youngest son, Mackynzie, as one of my hunting partners. At the age of 12, sitting in a 8’ x 4’ tree stand built by my father while educating Mackynzie on patience and hunting, he had his chance to harvest his first bear, and he did that with the longest sit and shot I have ever endured. 7 1/2 hours in the tree stand with an 8 -minute wait to press the trigger on my Weatherby 30.06, which had been handed down to me by my grandfather, aimed at this 300 lb sow. I was in awe at what we had accomplished. Immediately after, it was time to get the bear out of the summer heat and get her skinned out to cool the meat. The sow had dropped 30 yards from the bait, so she was easy enough to process, yet still far enough that her weight still made it a difficult recovery. The whole experience was, by far, the best of many memories I have of bear hunting. Manitouwadge, a small town in Northern Ontario, Canada, is my choice location for bear hunting, mostly because that’s where I was raised and I know the terrain fairly well. My father has baited for me a few months before the season opened to ensure that there was bear activity. There are many different ways you can bait a bear. The most popular is using a 40 gallon drum with the lid off, chained to a tree with a smaller hole in the side near the bottom, filled with oils, donuts, dog food, baked goods, beaver carcasses, or almost anything you can think of. While entering your bear bait area, always be aware of your surroundings, as bears tend to sneak up on you. Baiting a site is like a dinner bell for the bears. They get used to hearing the truck door slam, the noise you make while topping off the barrel and then when you leave, they feel safe to come out and fill their bellies. You can use this to your advantage by having someone drop you off, closing doors and banging the bait barrel yourself, and then ascending into your tree stand to wait patiently. This past season, as I sat anticipating how big he was going to be and when he was going to come out, I sat, ready to capture it on film. After finding the perfect setup for my camera, or so I thought, the black bear came out in the second hour of hunting on the second day of the season, and, to my surprise, he was not sticking around. I quickly turned the camera on, and quietly snuck into my chair, grabbing my Weatherby 30.06. I focused, aimed and shot in less than seven seconds as he was taking his bait and trying to hightail it out of there, which told me there must be a bigger bear in the area. This bear dropped approximately 40 yards from my shot location in the dark, cool, moss-filled forest. My husband and I had a challenging time dragging this black bear out using tow straps I had in my truck, which we placed through the bear’s Achilles tendon and dragged him out. It was quite the workout. Once we arrived at the truck, which was another 40 yards past the bait site, we knew we were not going to be able to heave this 350-lb black bear into the bed, so we removed the tailgate of my Silverado and used it as a ramp (a trick I’d learned from my father). Now that’s ingenuity!
Photos courtesy of Amanda Lynn Mayhew.
Most people turn their
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Black bears are not always black. My son took his second bear while moose hunting in 2013 and she was a beautiful cinnamon-colored black bear, who was so hungry one evening she decided to chew holes in my ATV’s seat. That next morning, we decided to change our hunt a bit, as missing most of my seat was a little frustrating. So instead of heading out to our moose stands, we decided to wait and see if she was going to show up, which she did, and Mackynzie harvested her with his Lee Enfield .303 British. Processing her in the back of the truck was a bit tricky, but in three hours, she was gutted, skinned, and butchered. I told Mackynzie that the next bear he shoots, it’s his turn to do the
processing. I mentioned that people turn their nose up when I answer their questions about consuming bear meat. Although many hunters have experienced “bad meat,” and there is controversy on “dump bears” (bears that subsist on garbage) versus “berry bears” (bears that live on berries and food in the wild), I have never had a bad bear experience. The meat is tender and when cooked properly, is more savory than roast beef. If you ever have the chance to get out bear hunting and harvest a black bear, you will have an adventure in the making, a memory forever, a story to share, and a freezer full of meat.
So, how can you actually cook bear meat? Check out Amanda’s Bear and Chicken Fried Rice with Sesame Seeds recipe on Page 39!
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Photo courtesy of Amanda Lynn Mayhew. Map photo courtesy of Google. Bear photo by Irena Mayhew.
Amanda Lynn Mayhew is a proud Hunter & Athlete with Cabela’s Canada Pro Staff Team Member, Official Ambassador of the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show, 5.11, Bear Archery, FXR Outdoors and Polaris. amandalynnmayhew.com #justhunt
BLACK BEAR FACTS Male (boar): 200 to 600 pounds (114 to 272 kg) in weight Females (sows): 100 to 400 pounds (45.4 to 182 kg) in weight Estimated number of black bears in Ontario: 75,000 – 110,000 Black Bears hibernate 2 - 7 months depending on location and food supply
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Leatherback Turtle. Black Rhino. Gun Bunny. What do these three things have in common? They are all species currently on the endangered list, and my prediction is that the Gun Bunny is going to win the race to extinction by a landslide. Six years ago, when I began immersing myself in the firearms world, these gun bunnies were everywhere. Now, not so much. In case you don’t know what a Gun Bunny is, it is a woman with little to no experience with firearms who poses in pictures with guns to obtain attention from men. Of course, these gals are hot—if you like lots of hair extensions and copious amounts of makeup. They’d typically be clad in skimpy or otherwise-impractical shooting attire. Historically, Gun Bunnies more often than not demonstrated poor trigger and/or muzzle discipline, though once in awhile you’d get one who was fortunate enough to know to index her finger, or at least have someone move her finger to an indexed position. But that was rare. The point was that it didn’t really matter. Simply having a girl with an ample rack on display and an AK47 was enough for plenty of male gun enthusiasts to get really excited. It’s no secret that the number of women and firearms has exploded in the past few years, as the media loves to report constantly. As consumers, competitors, and industry-insiders, we are everywhere. Women from all walks of life are shooting, buying, and innovating firearms and gun-related products and gear. This year at SHOT Show, while I was expecting a huge presence from the women of the industry, I was still blown away by just how many of us there were. In the Fall of 2015, 5.11 Tactical really raised the bar when they launched their “True To Your Passion” ad campaign. The company, who until then had predominantly targeted a male tactical/paramilitary/contractor customer base, featured epic imagery of badass (and great-looking) real-deal women who were making a name for themselves in the shooting world. And they were holding weapons, and looking sexy—not because they were scantily-clad—but because they knew how to use these weapons. 24 | sure shots mag | issue 16
with bodies to kill? Um, have you seen some of the women in the How does this relate to the Gun Bunny? Simple: There is now industry? Just in the past few Sure Shots Magazine issues we’ve proven such a huge cross-section of women who truly know firearms, that the firearms industry has some of the HOTTEST ladies. Diana that there is virtually a “gun girl” in every age, look, shape Hufstedler? Tori Nonaka? If these ladies aren’t model-caliber, we and size. Smart men appreciate smart women, and smart gun don’t know who is (see page 6 of this issue). Even our own Sure Shots guys really appreciate smart women who can shoot. Why would Magazine content lead and Issue 14 cover girl Becca Spinks gave the anyone want to waste their time admiring a woman who doesn’t Victorias Secret Angels a run for their money when she posed in know a buttstock from a barrel when there is an endless amount short shorts in front of a Mercedes holding the Tavor—legs for days! of women that are the total package—ones who not only hold And, man, can Becca shoot! their guns, but shoot them too? Suddenly, the Gun Even when they’re not all glammed-up, we are Bunny isn’t quite so appealing. noticing beautiful women like Kirsten Joy Weiss, whose Years ago, when we first began to attend SHOT Smart men natural beauty and warm smile speaks more to us Show, Gun Bunnies were still a thing. I remember than the “sultry” looks a Gun Bunny gives the camera. hearing that one (not naming names!) was even appreciate Outdoorsy, always-happy, and genuinely positive, this charging people for photos at her booth appearance. smart women, real-deal competitive shooter (seriously, Google her I could not wrap my head around that concept. and smart gun achievements) is a great role model for young girls, as “What? Wait… WHAT???” I had to see this for well as being a chick dudes would never tire of looking at. myself, so we cruised by the booth, and there were guys really Now, don’t get me wrong; there are still—and I’m tons of guys lined up. This year at SHOT, there appreciate betting always will be—Gun Bunnies, websites that were none that we saw, save for the one booth that smart women feature them, and men who love them… I’ll even featured what was supposed to be hot gun girls— suuuper-short skintight dresses, platform heels, who can shoot. admit I follow one such account on Instagram just so that I can have a daily chuckle. But the real gun-girls hair extensions (that were falling out, but that’s are way more beautiful to me, no matter their age, neither here nor there)—and I could not find one shape, or size. The confidence real-gun-girls exude person, male or female, that was looking at these when they pose with their weapons (usually as they take a break young ladies with anything other than pity for having to be the from actually shooting) is much, much greater than ten pounds of holdouts of days gone by. And, in my opinion, it actually reduces makeup and stripper heels. credibility of the company. Sorry, Gun Bunnies. RIP. Okay, but what about the fact that the Gun Bunnies were “hot,”
Ad courtesy of 5.11 Tactical. Photo courtesy of Kirsten Joy Weiss.
Natural beauty and sharpshooter Kirsten Joy Weiss
5.11 Tactical’s Fall 2015 ad campaign featured some ladies we can really look up to! Left to right: Allie Barrett, Diana Hufstedler, Corinne Mosher, Michelle Waldren, Janna Reeves, Jessica Hook, Sammi King, Kristie O’Malley
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CRACKING THE
CODE Photos by Dustin Meyer
Honorary Sure Shot Jami lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, Christian. Together they own Scalpel Arms and Lux 180. The first time Christian took Jami to the range, Jami fell in love… with shooting! Christian put the icing on the cake when he customized Jami’s STi 1911 with a silver-and-black Damask pattern, her favorite. Now Jami’s got many guns to match her style and moods. Her current carry gun of choice is the Sig Sauer P238. In the photos: AK-74 built by JBI Armory with custom handguard, gas system and stock mounting with Innovative Arms Grunt M (mini) suppressor; custom-coated Lionheart Industries LH9N-MKII; customcoated STI Spartan 1911; and an MP5.
Shot on location at Perplexium Austin. Perplexium is a highly immersive, real life puzzle challenge. Players step into an adventure and work as a team to discover what’s in store. Tasked with a mission, participants must uncover the mystery by discovering clues and solving puzzles… the players need to hurry though, because they only have one hour to solve the mystery of the room. 8868 Research Blvd, Austin TX, 512.640.6330, perplexiumlive.com.
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Style Me Tactical
MY FIRST GUN
AND
GEAR!
It’s always an exciting day when you get to purchase something you’ve been eyeing and lusting after. For me, that excitement typically revolves around the purchase of a pair of designer shoes. However, about a month ago that excitement shifted from shoes to my first handgun. After doing my research, going to gun stores, gun shows, and testing out different handguns, I had finally settled on the gun that I would be able to call my first. It seems that my expensive taste didn’t just apply to shoes but also in the handgun I selected. I chose the Heckler & Koch VP9. It was the handgun that I kept going back to during my numerous times “trying it on.” I liked the way it looked, the way it shot and it fit my hand the best out of all the handguns I tried. I also loved that it has the option to change out the side and back straps to obtain a better grip. After finding a local store that could order it, waiting the mandatory 10 days, and processing my paper work, I was finally able to pick up my HK VP9. I was excited and a bit anxious, but I finally had my VP9. During the course of the buying and registration process, I purchased the necessary accessories so that I would have what I needed to head to the range. Having the right accessories that are not only functional but stylish was important to me. I tried various brands of accessories & ammo before settling on my current set. -Emily Valentine
Prime Ammunition This ammo is super sleek looking and it shoots great too. After shooting various brands, I’m loving this 9mm 124 grain FMJ ammo. I’ve learned that, just like what you put into your body is important, so is what you put into your gun.
Smith Optics Elite Aegis Echo II Compact
Howard Leight Leightning L0F Folding Earmuff
Howard Leight Women’s Super Leight Earplus
I love that the temples are flat and slim which make them fit cleanly under ear muffs.
From the beginning stages of learning to shoot, my one requirement for ear protection is that I wanted them to be slim. These are slim and comfortable, which is key.
I prefer to double-up on my ear protection when shooting at an indoor range. I found that these women specific ear plugs are made smaller and fit in my ear canal much better than traditional unisex in ear plugs.
Magazine Speed Loader I didn’t think I would actually use this but now I don’t know what I would do without it. Not only does it make loading the mags easier and faster, but it saves my manicures too!
Check out the Style Me Tactical blog: stylemetactical.com | Follow Style Me Tactical on Instagram: @ stylemetactical
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Photo courtesy of Style Me Tactical.
t
WOMEN in the INDUSTRY
Competitive Shooter Jessie Dussart
“
You have to let the
last match, the last stage, the last shot,
go”
Photo courtesy of Jessie Dussart.
.
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Jessie Dussart is a busy lady, juggling an active family, her own engineering firm, and keeping her shooting skills sharp. With her positive attitude and sense of responsibility as a competitive shooter, we think she is a great role model to introduce to our readers. She even helped design an optic and is credited on the patent, how cool it that? —Carrin Welch SSM: Please tell us a little about yourself and your background. Born in Rapid City, South Dakota, I did the majority of my growing up on ranchland in the area. Firearms were part of my life from a very early age; used as an essential tool for survival. Oftentimes if we didn’t hunt, we didn’t eat. My father is an excellent marksman and that is how I learned both the skill and the love of shooting. He would spend hours teaching me not only the fundamentals, but why one cartridge was better than another (in his opinion) and how each different firearm functioned down to the minutest mechanism. Hunting is a tradition I continue to enjoy, not only with my father but with my own family. My husband and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage in June of this year and we have two amazing children together. Our son will be 16 in May and is currently a sophomore in high school, and our daughter is 13 and finishing up the seventh grade. SSM: How long have you been shooting? What made you decide to start shooting competitively? I’ve been shooting since I was old enough to safely handle a firearm. I’ve been shooting competitively in various disciplines since high school. In high school I shot trap in 4-H and then didn’t begin competing again until I met my husband in 2003. He was involved in USPSA and it didn’t take long before I was competing alongside him. In 2010 I was the Colorado State Women’s USPSA Champion. After several years of competing with a pistol, we shifted our focus to long range precision rifle. The sport was still in its infancy when I began competing, and I’m pleased to see how far it has come and the direction in which it is headed. SSM: When and how did you get your first sponsor? In 2010 I competed in my first precision rifle match in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This was before the Precision Rifle Series came into being and ProPlate Targets was a sponsor of the match and provided their targets for the prize table. After seeking out the owner to thank him for donating prizes to the match, he mentioned he was looking for ways to advertise his product, and my first sponsorship was born. SSM: How did getting sponsorships change how you approached the sport? Becoming a sponsored shooter has been both exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. In many ways being a sponsored shooter is more work than just shooting as a weekend
hobby. When you put on that jersey with the names and logos of people in the industry who believe in you and support you there is a great responsibility to represent them well, not only by shooting to the best of your ability but also by being a responsible and respectable competitor. SSM: What is the best part of being involved in the shooting sports? That’s easy: the people, definitely. The amazing friendships I’ve built over the last six years are something truly special to me. I have never met a group of people more supportive of each other and willing to go out of their way to help each other, both on and off the range. We share in each other’s successes and failures in both shooting and life, and there isn’t one of them I would not hesitate to call if I needed something. SSM: Have there been any lessons competing has taught you? The biggest lesson I’ve learned from competing is that you have to let the last match, the last stage, the last shot, go; you have to shoot in the moment. If you are trying to shoot a stage but can’t stop thinking about how you zeroed the last stage, you’ll never be competitive. I’m not saying you shouldn’t be aware of what you could improve on based on your performance, but once that shot breaks, it’s done—you can’t change its trajectory. Every round you send downrange should teach you something; learn the lesson and move on. SSM: If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? I guess I’m lucky in this regard; I get the opportunity to shoot with many people I consider to be my mentors. Each of them teaches me something new every time I get the opportunity to shoot with them: a new technique, a different way to look at the breakdown of a stage, a new observation of a skill I need to improve, some insight into how the wind plays over different landscapes. Our sport is unique, I can’t think of another where the elite athletes of the sport play right alongside the new guy shooting their first match and are willing to help them out and offer them advice. I also have the amazing luck of being married to my biggest supporter. He is the one who has taught me the most about the intricacies of reloading and the person I go to when I have questions about anything. He’s my favorite person to shoot with and I’m blessed to be able to share this passion with him. I wouldn’t be half the shooter I am today without his help and guidance.
SSM: What is your primary weapon (or weapons) and why? My current competition riffle is a custom build. I am running a Kelbly action in 6 Creedmoor that is bedded in a carbon fiber Manners T5-A stock. I’m using a Bartlein barrel, an Atlas bipod, ThunderBeast suppressor and a two stage Huber trigger. My current optic is the Burris XTR-II 4-20 x 50 with the SCR reticle, which I helped design and am credited for on the patent, in a Spuhr mount. Two years ago I went searching for a lighter option to the rifle I was running at the time; that’s how this build came into being. Chuck McIntosh at Mac’s Gunworks in Gillette, Wyoming does all my gunsmithing for me; I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my rifle. My sponsors are the greatest and I’m fortunate to have the support of the best names in the industry behind me. SSM: What are your top three shooting goals right now? As always, one of my top goals is to encourage more women to get involved in the sport. This has always been a passion of mine and I want to continue to introduce women to our sport and to encourage and support them in participating. I would also like to dedicate a bit more time to practice. As a stay at home mom who runs her own business and homeschools, finding time to get in a practice session is a luxury and this year I would like to make it more of a priority. I have a .223 and a 22LR trainer that are set up to duplicate the weight and feel of my competition rifles. My third shooting goal is the one I think will advance my shooting the most; I need to learn to listen to the advice I give myself. I have this horrible habit of second guessing my plan of attack on a stage or my wind calls and then find if I had stuck with my initial assessment, I would have been right on. SSM: What is the best shooting advice you have been given that you feel might be important to share with our readers? Settle your natural point of aim on the target and squeeze the trigger without disturbing your sight picture. My husband told me that at my first pistol match and when I begin to overthink and overcomplicate a match, I remember to take it back to the basics. If you focus on the fundamentals of shooting, speed and accuracy will come with time. SSM: And for our final question... If you could be any character in a movie, who would it be and why? Oh boy, let’s see.....oh, I know, Matthew Quigley. Why? Three words: great wind calls. sureshotsmagazine.com | 35
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INTEGRITY Saying No, When You Really Want To Say Yes
There are many things to enjoy about shooting. Besides the practice and the actual competition, the life lessons are there everyday if you are willing to take the time to see and learn from them. I have been given the responsibility and the task of representing numerous companies who make or modify guns, and also companies who design and build many of the extras that make the sport safer, more fun, easier and prettier. The story I’m about tell is what I would call a good lesson to new shooters that are looking to companies to help them with products or services which will assist them in advancing in the shooting arena, as well as get the company’s brand name and product in front of a larger group of people. Remember, your job as a sponsored shooter is to represent the companies in the best light possible at all times. I try to get to know the people behind the brand that I’ll be representing. I like to think of them as my friends and as part of my gun family too. It’s also nice to be able to call or text your representative at the company any time you need something. I had a gun problem at the rimfire world championships last year, and it was great to be able to make one phone call and fix my problem on a Sunday afternoon and be able to finish the match. When a company comes to me to talk about a sponsorship deal, I have to ask myself a few questions. The first question always has to be “Will it in any way conflict with my existing agreements?” For me, it’s not about the free stuff. Don’t get me wrong, if it weren’t for my sponsors, I couldn’t do many of the things that their generosity allows. I feel that if I accept an offer for sponsorship, I have entered into a contract, whether written or not, that demands my attention, my time, and loyalty. I really feel as though I have some of the best sponsors out there and I don’t want to jeopardize those relationships. Last year, I was really put to the test. I received a call from a major firearm manufacturer. They offered me some really great things. I loved the image of their company and, because of its size, I felt there might even be a future for me there. I was so flattered and excited but then I had to stop and think. There was no way to make a sponsorship agreement with them and still keep the agreements I had already made. It wouldn’t be right to switch sponsors in the middle of the season. This was a difficult decision but one I made quickly. In the end, I had to decline their offer. They seemed genuinely surprised but, never the less, told me I had more integrity than most adults that they had dealt with. Sometimes the best decision is the hardest to make, but in the end, I’m happy with the decision I made. I’m young and hope to go far in the shooting world. In a small way I have earned a reputation for working hard and giving 100% on anything I try. I want to also be known as a young lady who keeps her word and always tries to do what’s right. The gun industry is a small and tight knit group where word travels fast, both good and bad. Remember, it’s okay to tell someone no. They may even have more respect for you in the long run. Cheyenne Dalton is a 15-year-old sponsored competitive shooter from Missouri. She enjoys hunting, fishing, cooking, shooting sports and music. She travels the country either shooting or playing bluegrass music with her band That Dalton Gang. Cheyenne lives on a farm and enjoys the country life.
Photo by Terry Dalton.
By cheyenne dalton
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Fried Rice with Sesame Seeds Popular with Canadian hunters, bear meat is a savory companion to chicken in this unique and tasty dish. by amanda lynn mayhew Ingredients: (Serves 3-4)
Directions:
1/2 lb of cooked and shredded bear meat (previously prepared in slow cooker)
1 tsp of garlic powder
1/2 lb of cooked and shredded chicken (previously roasted in oven with sliced bacon & paprika)
2 Tbsps of toasted sesame seeds
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1/2 to 3/4 cups of soy sauce 2 cups of basmati rice (prepared per pkg instructions)
Photo by Amanda Lynn Mayhew.
1 pkg of fresh button mushrooms, chopped
1/2 cup of frozen peas, thawed
Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet or wok to a mediumhigh heat. Add the oil and sauté the onions and mushrooms until the mushrooms are golden brown. Add the bear meat and chicken. Continue to sauté and stir constantly, until the meats are heated through. Add the cooked rice, soy sauce and frozen peas. Continue to stir constantly. Once everything is throughly combined and heated, add the beaten egg. Stir quickly until the egg is cooked thru. Serve and top with sesame seeds.
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Photos courtesy of Flashbang.
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The Marilyn holster by flashbang Four years ago, I bought two bra holsters for my Walther PPK. It was my first small gun, and I intended to carry it concealed, so I wanted to try as many options as possible. Both holsters were made by Flashbang, a company led by some spectacular women that are really thinking about how they can make good quality products that address the specific needs of women. The first one I tried was The Flashbang holster—the original holster the company designed, hence the name. This is the one that goes in the front of your bra and rests inside the bra cups with the grip just below. While it took me a while to find the right bra and tank top combination to make it work, I felt The Flashbang was a big hit. Many women love the original Flashbang—it’s an epic success story, and there are lots of reviews of it all over the internet. So let’s move on to the second holster, the Marilyn. The Marilyn also goes in your bra, but it goes on your offhand side. It is designed to sit in a similar position as a gun in a harness-style shoulder holster would. I tried every bra I had with every tank top I could find—I even tried it with a sports bra— but I just could not make that holster work for me. I couldn’t get used to the feeling of the gun being right under my arm, and the gun would sit too far forward in the cup and create some really weird shapes; not “girl shapes,” if you catch my drift. I still offered the ladies of the Sure Shots the chance to try The Marilyn if they wanted to, because I was sure it could be a great fit for someone. Eventually, it ended up in the alwaysexpanding bucket-o’-gear I don’t use often, or at all. Honestly, at that time I wasn’t carrying every day, and I didn’t feel I needed lots of options to do so.
Fast-forward to earlier this year: I carry a lot more often now. I typically appendix-carry and use a couple of great holsters (one of them is yet another Flashbang holster, The Betty). It has been surprisingly warm this winter in Texas, and I like wearing maxidresses, so I decided it was time to dig The Marilyn out and give it another try. After all, I have more experience carrying on-body now, and I also have a bunch of new bras. This time it was a totally different story—a success story! With the right bra, The Marilyn fit nicely on my left side, tucked safely into the band of the bra with the grip of the gun sitting inside the cup. Just like any holster, there are some clothing requirements. It works best with dresses that have scoop or V-necks, or have wide sundress-style straps, so that you can access the gun from the top. I would recommend wearing it with something that is a little blousy around the bodice for a little camouflage. This holster will work with the smallest of the sub-compact semi-automatic guns on the market; my PPK is definitely pushing it because it is all metal and a little heavy. I think it helps to be somewhat curvy to truly conceal with this holster, which I am, but I bet there are women of all sizes that make it work. Once the gun is in place, it is easily accessible. I am relieved to know that I have an on-body carry option that will allow me to carry concealed in summer dresses without sacrificing comfort, accessibility, or style! The Marilyn retails for $49.99 and is available at flashbangstore.com/products/the-marilyn - Carrin Welch
Carrin’s Marilyn is virtually undetectable. sureshotsmagazine.com | 41
Left: No matter the position, Ravens never felt tight or uncomfortable.
Roof photo by Jonathan Foo.
Below: The reinforced waistband holds a lot of weight in gear.
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Photo by Chloe Messersmith.
5.11 Women’s Raven Range Tight You know that awesome feeling you get when you pull on a pair of Spanx? Come on, ladies, y’all know what I’m talking about! Well, that’s the same great feeling you get when you pull on a pair of 5.11 Tactical’s new Raven Range Tights. The Ravens are extremely stretchy and thick, and pack everything into a neat little package, without feeling too tight. The knees are reinforced with thicker panels, as well as the top side seams. It’s obvious to me that 5.11 considered the aesthetic design as carefully as they considered the pant’s performance, since the panels and seams on the legs and the rear are very flattering (think curved angles and diagonals). The Ravens are offered in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large, and at 5”8” and 135 lbs, I ordered these pants in Medium. I usually wear a size 4 in jeans, and if there is ever a “long” version of any pant style available, I will always opt for that, since I have long legs. With that said, I did find the length of these tights to be just a bit too short. I realize they are called “ankle-length,” but I would have loved an additional inch or two. Since the Ravens have a wide waistband with loops to accommodate a belt and gear, the waistband is not as stretchy as the rest of the material, which is understandable, since it needs to be more stable. I happen to have a disproportionate waist-to-hips ratio (meaning my waist is significantly smaller than my hips), so the waistband on the Mediums was a few inches too big. I don’t fault the Ravens specifically for this, as I have had this problem with finding great-fitting jeans for the majority of my life. I thought my range belt would solve this issue, and it did tighten it up (with a slight bunching), but the weight of all my 3-Gun gear pulled down on the pants, so I had to constantly hike them up. I don’t think this is a design flaw, per se; I think I may have just ordered the wrong size, and I will definitely be trying the Ravens in size Small. I’ve worn the Ravens to two 3-Gun matches so far, and as for general comfort, they can’t be beat! I was able to easily run, bend, take a knee, sit, etc., all day. The two weekends I wore the Ravens, the Texas weather happened to be mid-70s and sunny, so I was neither too hot nor too chilly in them. I would guess they’d be nice and warm in the winter, but too hot to wear in Texas’ summer heat (I mean, it gets CRAZY-hot here, so pretty much anything tight and black in the summer is usually a no-go). Overall, I am very happy with the Ravens. I’m happy I can wear “tactical yoga pants” and still run a belt rig. In fact I’m so happy with them, I just ordered the Raven capri-length version… this time in Small! Raven Range Tights retail for $89.99 and are available at 511tactical.com - Niki Jones
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502 CONCEALMENT GUN BENCH by American furniture classics At SHOT Show this year, we stumbled across a booth that had concealment furniture for the home, and I was intrigued by a leather-wrapped wood bench that stowed up to five long guns and had a removable tray for handguns or other accessories. When I heard the sales rep say that they were running a special for items purchased during the show—a deep discount and no shipping charges, delivered directly to my front porch in Texas—I said “SIGN ME UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!” I was so excited when UPS delivered the bench two weeks later, and my husband and I carried the giant box inside. I immediately opened the box and found the directions for assembly. The bench came mostly assembled; I just had to attach four short legs to the corners. We slipped the bench out of the protective plastic cover and found our first disappointment: all three of the hinges to the lid were busted and the screws were stripped out of the wood. It appeared that the manufacturer had used really short screws to attach the lid, and they were not strong enough to hold the lid on. This wasn’t a deal breaker for me, as it was easy enough to grab some better screws from the garage and reattach the hinges. It only took me about 10 minutes to correct the issue.
We flipped the bench over and attached the four legs with the 12 screws included in the package. Luckily, these screws were much longer so I felt confident they would hold. Legs now attached, we flipped the bench upright again and set it down in the middle of the living room. I thought it looked great... until I used my knee to scoot the bench over about 12 inches and one of the legs snapped off. The wood section of the leg had split clean in half. And the sad part was that the bench was still empty; I hadn’t added any guns to it yet! Clearly, the wood that was used to build this bench was very cheap and flimsy. I’m just hoping that the bench and wooden legs will hold up under the extra weight now that I’ve added a few firearms to it. Fingers crossed! What had been my most anticipated SHOT Show purchase has ended with disappointment. I guess they can’t all be winners. I should have just saved my money and bought another gun! The 502 Concealment Gun Bench is $219.99 and is available at americanfurnitureclassics.com. - Jenna Johnson
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