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SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 20 | APril 2017
16 FEATURE
LITTLE BLACK GUN New York City girl Bree Michael Warner navigates the world of urban gun ownership.
22 FEATURE
GUN GIRL DOWN UNDER Australian shooter Sarah Jane Jacob gives us a view into the country’s gun culture.
TRAINING 06 Maintaining context in your training 10 HOME ON THE LONG RANGE 12
BB competition
15
one to watch: MARYBETH OLSON
Feature pictorial by NATHAN PAUL 26 AMY ROBBINS’ MOTTO “LOOK GREAT AND SHOOT STRAIGHT” is on point
LIFESTYLE 34 STYLE ME TACTICAL: FIELD JACKETS 37 Women in the Industry: LESLIE DEETS
Photo by Niki Jones.
39 GOTTA GET: DIAMOND GIRL
REVIEWS 40 SIG SAUER P220-10 42 Ridge Footwear Packin’ Tee 45 UNIVERSAL LETHAL LACE HOLSTER
FROM THE EDITOR
L
ifestyle blogger, TV host and Gun Girl Extraordinaire Amy Robbins has been on our radar for quite some time, and we couldn’t have been more thrilled when she agreed to grace our cover. Carrin and I went back and forth conceptualizing the theme of the Feature Pictorial, and then we realized—it was right there in front of us. “Look Great and Shoot Straight” is Amy’s motto, and it happens to encompass what we at Sure Shots Magazine strive to present in every issue: you don’t have to sacrifice style when it comes to your personal defense. So we decided to go with a super fashion-editorial theme, and wow, did it work out! Amy runs her empire up in Dallas, so we tasked her with finding a local photographer and crew to do the shoot—Carrin and I were due for a road trip anyway. A few conference calls with Amy assured us we were all completely on the same page, and when we arrived at the studio the morning of the shoot, we were met by the most fabulous photographer, hair stylist, makeup artist, and stylist who curated a collection of clothing so phenomenal, we were absolutely floored. The shoot ran like a well-oiled machine and we had an absolute blast, and you can see for yourself by clicking HERE. In this issue, we learn about a topic that as an ex-New Yorker is personal to me: gun ownership in NYC. We also visit with an Australian shooter who tells us what it’s like to be a gun girl down under. And the rest of the issue’s packed with training tips, lifestyle stories and great reviews. We’ve got so many exciting things on the horizon, and can’t wait to show y’all, but for now, we hope you enjoy Issue 20, and hope you Look Great and Shoot Straight!
case ol’ giant r regular ns! u g t J ust you o o otosh full of ph
4 | sure shots mag | issue 20
The crew that’s fabu! Top row : Ellie Mae Leal, Nathan Paul, Brian Pier ce, Niki Jones; Bottom row : Larry Trae ’Von, Amy Robbins , Car rin Welch, Willie Johnso n III
Niki Jones photo by Annie Ray.
-Niki
B R is This S ing ait just w for his . -up.. close
Founder and editor-in-chief
Niki Jones associate editor and webmaster
Carrin Welch
Copy Editor
Jenna Johnson
Finally - A Firearms Course Designed Exclusively For The Thinking Woman
Content DIRECTOR
Nicole Maddocks
contributors
Leslie Deets Meredith Dishman Kanani Fox Kyleigh Hayworth Sarah Jane Jacob Willie Johnson III Dennis Kwan EllieMae Leal
Claxton, Simon Claxton Mira’s version of James Bond • 24 years world wide military experience • United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) • 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (Tier 1 SAS) • Firearms Instructor for Chicago SWAT • Chief Instructor UDSF Sniper Training Cell
www.miraofficial.net Join us for our special pistol and self protection classes for women only in beautiful Orange County, CA October 16 th, 22 nd or 23rd
Limited space available - sign up NOW!
Mira Official, Inc is owned, operated and designed by women. Each course curriculum is written especially for women.
Lisa Muñoz Zach Olson Nathan Paul Kim Phann Taylor Phann Brian Pierce Annie Ray Larry Trae’Von Emily Valentine Fiona Walsh Bree Michael Warner
Sure Shots Magazine is a free publication. For submission requirements, email sureshotsmagazine@gmail.com. All content ©2017 Sure Shots Magazine. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at sureshotsmag.com. For ad sales contact SureShotsMagAds@gmail.com.
100-yard indoor range | redsguns.com
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6 | sure shots mag | issue 20 “Arriving home after errands”
Photos courtesy of Kanani Fox.
I return home from grocery shopping and approach the back door. Upon entry, I see the living room is wrecked. Down the hallway, I see three people coming towards me. This is one of the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) shooting scenarios from my last match simulating a home invasion. The IDPA website defines the sport as “the use of practical equipment including full charge service; ammunition to solve simulated ‘real world’ self-defense scenarios using practical handguns and holsters that are suitable for self-defense use. The main goal is to test the skill and ability of an individual.” Each stage in an IDPA match models real life self-defense situation, similar to the earlier example: like shopping in a store, passing an empty lot or standing in line at a bank. The skills needed during these encounters include drawing from a holster, moving from target to target, moving from cover to cover, shooting from behind a barrier, and potentially one-handed shooting (both strong hand and support hand only). Almost every stage at an IDPA match requires the use of one or more of these skills. Many of the ranges I’ve shot at do not allow shooters to practice these essentials, and few others offer additional training. Integrating competitive shooting into your training and practice is one way to improve in these skills. A standard indoor range is a good place to practice static skills like marksmanship and accuracy at distance. Shooting down a “hallway” while moving Practicing in a range without pressure and where a shooter can focus on repeating successful performance is time well spent. Other skills, like those person. Concealment and cover act as Concealment is an object needed for defensive shooting, can only be barriers to your line of sight. Knowing that can hide a person practiced where the targets are in various and cover is an object how to work around them is a vital skill directions, behind barriers and require the that can protect a person. and highly applicable for every home Concealment and cover shooter to move and acquire the targets. defense situation. Many of the indoor act as barriers to your In September of 2015, our local paper and outdoor ranges available in my line of sight. Knowing reported a home invasion involving four area do not allow shooters to practice how to work around them suspects. The report stated that two of the these skills during regular hours. is a vital skill and highly suspects entered through the front door Fortunately, a nearby range does offer applicable for every home while the other pair proceeded to the back an IDPA match as well as several other defense situation. door. Recently, another pair of suspects were competitive shooting matches each involved in a series of convenience store month. The stage layouts vary from robberies. From what I’ve read in the crime section of match to match, keeping things interesting. These scenarios our local newspaper, there seems to be a trend regarding arrange the threat, or threats, at various positions in each pairs or small groups of suspects who work together to stage. The shooter is only able to engage each target by commit robberies and home invasions. IDPA shooting moving through the course. As a result, the IDPA match is scenarios include stages which engage multiple targets my primary method for practicing these skills. in different directions, providing the perfect platform There is a strong emphasis on gun safety at competitive to practice this potentially lifesaving skill. shooting events because the participant is moving Consider the layout of your home. There are walls, throughout the stage with a live weapon. It is absolutely doorways, and hallways which can act as concealment or, critical that the participants be mindful of range safety. A in some cases, cover. “Concealment” is an object that can range safety officer reviews the NRA’s three rules for firearm hide a person and “cover” is an object that can protect a safety before every match. They are: always keep the gun
sureshotsmag.com | 7
pointed in a safe direction, always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. Application of these three rules directly applies to maintaining a safe environment during a match. The NRA also recommends that a shooter know their target and what is beyond their target. A well-developed home defense plan should address this as well. The safe direction should consider the location of neighboring properties and not just those inside the home that are beyond the target. Competitive shooting provides valuable practice in firearm safety. Mental skills are also tested during a shooting match in addition to the physical skills. When we are shooting with friends it can be hard to maintain emotional intensity. One of the ways to increase stress during training is to visualize the threat approaching you. A description of each stage during the match prompts you to picture the scene at hand. Visualizing the threat combined with a competitive environment and racing against the clock for the best score can increase stress threefold over regular range time. Through this experience, the shooter better acclimates to the stress
they would encounter in a home invasion. Finally, competitive shooting allows for unbiased scoring and feedback of our shooting skills. Neutralizing the threat and assessing our accuracy before we move to the next target needs to occur in a split second. The goal of each match is to stop the threat as fast as we can. At the end, a shooter’s final score is based on the combined time it took them to complete each stage plus any errors or shots missed. This feedback can help a new shooter see where they can improve, what skills need more work and over time, see how they have developed. I believe that incorporating competitive shooting into your regular practice can improve your fundamentals, reinforce firearm safety, and sharpen your mental skills. It adds skill development and unfiltered feedback which can help shooters adjust how they spend their range time. Every practice session should include strengthening the fundamentals, building your skills, testing what you already know, and growing in new areas. Taking advantage of all the opportunities available is what makes a good shooter better.
Shooting while moving, engaging several targets 8 |  sure shots mag |  issue 20
Shooting one-handed, engaging several targets
Photos courtesy of Kanani Fox.
Shooting from behind a barrier
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10 | sure shots mag | issue 20
Home
on the
(Long) Range
BY KYLEIGH HAYWORTH
“You have to slow your heart rate; stay calm. You have to shoot in between your heartbeats.” Words straight from the American Sniper himself, Chris Kyle. Shooting targets at a longer distance involves more than just your front sight and trigger finger. Not only is long-range shooting a whole-body connection; it’s a mental game as well. Breathing. It’s something we all do, something that comes so naturally to us. Maintaining it, though, is important no matter what kind of shooting you do. With long-range shooting, taking a breath at the wrong time could lead to missing your target by a couple inches or even feet. What I like to do is inhale, then exhale, and that moment right before I’m about to take another breath, I pull the trigger. The reason for this is because that exact moment is one of the calmest and steadiest your body will ever be while awake. This is an easy skill to practice and get used to, whether it be with dryfire, or just sitting at home watching TV. Another key factor in any type of shooting is your trigger. Everyone knows that you are supposed to keep a straight, smooth trigger pull, and long-range is no different. Even the slightest jerk of your finger could send the bullet veering left or right of your target. The best way to keep that from happening is to look at your finger. It should ideally form a 90-degree angle with the gun. Once there, just smoothly pull the trigger straight back. This is also another skill that can be easily obtained through dryfire. Spending just 30 minutes every few days focusing on getting your finger in the right position for that straight pull is helpful. With long-range shooting, the position of your body is really important. Most people are not going to be shooting 500-yard targets from their off-hand because it gives you no stability. Most people will be shooting long range from a bench. I personally prefer to only shoot from a bench when I’m sighting in my rifle. If possible, I like to shoot from the prone position (lying flat on my stomach), or kneeling while bracing against some structure for support. I’m rarely going to shoot from a bench at a match; it’s almost always going to be in awkward, uncomfortable positions. So, I practice the most common positions that will allow me to make extended range hits as quickly as possible. Even if you are not a competitive shooter, I still think it’s a good skill to have, and overall its more fun because you get to push yourself. While long-range shooting may not be my favorite type of training, it’s still something I make time for. I’m 15 years old, a freshman in high school (who just recently got my driving permit!), which means I am juggling homework, matches, drivers ed and friends. I know I have to train and improve my skills, so if that means waking up at 0600 every Saturday to hit the range, then I do it. I also do dryfire every night. I practice those weird, uncomfortable positions. I practice my breathing and trigger control. Thirty minutes of that type of practice every night adds up to the bigger picture and my overall end goal: to be the best I can be.
Photo by Donna Hayworth.
“Not only is long-range shooting a whole-body connection; it’s a mental game as well.”
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Prone Position: 10 shots, AR-4/1, AR-4/5 AR-4/10 targets.
It takes a high level of skill and training to compete in this often-overlooked shooting sport. I’m a 15-year-old high school freshman in a small town in rural Tennessee. I’m also a very dedicated competitive shooter. Competitive shooting has played a major role in my life for the past five years, but for as long as I can remember guns have been a part of my family life—my dad was a huge proponent of teaching my brother and me gun safety, and was always encouraging us to learn all about guns. Until I was eight years old, I was never very interested in actually shooting… but everything changed when my parents bought me a pink Daisy BB gun for Christmas—I was instantly hooked. Because of my growing curiosity and love of shooting, my parents decided to sign me up for a hunter’s safety/gun safety course at a local range. While there, we discovered the range had a competitive 5-meter BB gun team, so my mom signed my little brother and me up. Five years later, I’m still very proud to say that I’m a member of the Bend of the River “Awesome Possum” competition BB team. The team consists of five team members and two alternates. We have three males and three females ranging in age from 11 to 15. We practice every Saturday morning from January to July. Because of the amount time we all spend together, we’re like a big family. Throughout the last five years I have competed at many matches, including attending the Daisy National BB gun Championship every summer. This past year I won both the 2016 Overall Tennessee State 4H BB gun match and the 2016 Overall Tennessee State Jaycee BB gun match, as well as placing 60th overall in the nation. Competitive BB shooting is a sport for anyone ages 8 to 15 years old. The equipment of choice is the Daisy 499 Avanti Champion BB gun, considered to be the world’s most accurate BB gun. Athletes shoot from a distance of 5 meters (16 feet) at a bulls-eye roughly the size of a quarter. Each competitor has 10 minutes to shoot 10 record shots and unlimited sighting shots. We also shoot from four positions: prone, standing, sitting, and kneeling, for an overall score of 400. As well as shooting, the matches also consist of a test on gun safety. The number one rule of the 5-meter competition BB gun shooting is safety. From merely picking up a gun to actual matches, gun safety is stressed and taught to everyone.
Daisy 499 Avanti Champion BB gun
12 | sure shots mag | issue 20
BB Gun Courses of Fire
Standing Position: 10 shots, AR-4/1, AR-4/5, AR-4/10 targets. Sitting Position: 10 shots, AR-4/1, AR-4/5, AR-4/10 targets. Kneeling Position: 10 shots, AR-4/1, AR-4/5, AR-4/10 targets. 40 shots, four positions 10 shots each position. Order of firing shall be prone, standing, sitting and kneeling. *source: rulebooks.nra.org
I encourage all families, especially ones with daughters, to check out the program and learn about gun safety. Although the shooting sports are predominantly male, I believe it is very important for women and girls to get involved and learn to shoot. Competitive BB shooting is a very welcoming community— everyone from the range personnel to the competitors are extremely supportive, encouraging and willing to help. Because of my age, this will be my last year of competing in the BB gun program. Although this adventure is ending, I am beginning to shoot NSSF Rimfire Challenge and Steel Challenge this year as well as finishing BB. I am very excited! I have already begun practicing shooting steel for the upcoming season.
Photo courtesy of Daisy.
BB
BY TAYLOR PHANN
TAYLOR PHANN’S ACHIEVEMENTS (TO DATE) • 2016 overall Tennessee state 4H BB gun champion •2 016 overall Tennessee state Jaycee BB gun champion •2 016 3rd place overall at the Tennessee pre-state BB match •6 0th at the 2016 Daisy National BB Gun Championship (out of nearly 500 competitors) •T eam has held the title of Tennessee state champions for 5 years
Photo by Kim Phann.
TAYLOR PHANN’S GOALS “Place higher than I did last year at this year’s BB Nationals” “Win the Champions of Champions state BB match” “Improve my shooting skills overall and have fun while doing what I love.”
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ONE TO WATCH
MARYBETH
OLSON DIVIDE
COLORADO Age: 9 Grade: 4th Age started shooting: 4 Competes in: Precision Rifle Competition guns: • GA Precision rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor with custom Manners composite stock, Bushnell LRHS, Bartlein barrel and Patriot Valley Arms Mad Scientist brake • CZ455 Precision Trainer in .22lr with a Manners T4 composite stock and Vortex Razor Favorite gun and why: “My favorite gun is my Savage Cub single shot .22lr because it was my first gun for my 5th birthday, and it was all mine!” Future goals for shooting: To be the first one to shoot a perfect 60 at the Whittington Center’s Sporting Rifle Match in Raton, New Mexico and win a Precision Rifle Series championship
Photo courtesy of Zach Olson.
Future non-shooting goals: “When I grow up I will have a good job training service dogs for the military.” Other hobbies: Cheerleading and singing Sponsors: Prime Ammunition, GA Precision Rifles, Manners Composite Stocks, Vortex Optics, Traust Custom Gun Bags
sureshotsmag.com | 15
LITTLE BLACK
Working as an actor in the film and television world, my love of fashion evolved from red carpets of Los Angeles to the couture collections hitting Fashion Week runways of New York. And it goes without saying that style and image have always been integral components in both my professional and personal life. There’s a certain inexplicable thrill to purchasing a great bag or beautiful pair of heels, especially if you find a fabulous sale. Living in New York City for by Bree Michael Warner nearly a decade was like living in a candy store. aka @TactiGalNYC It was the best of the best when it came to food, fashion and sophistication; it was also the worst of the worst for personal safety and space. Only recently have I traded Times Square for acreage and a slower pace of life in A New York City transplant by the ‘burbs of New York. However, it was during my time in the way of Los Angeles, I would city that my firearm journey began. I was that anomaly in search of a rarely pursued NYC have never imagined that my pistol permit and the perfect gun to compliment my fashion love of style would evolve from sensibilities. One was actually easier to accomplish than the other, although it might surprise most that acquiring a handbags to handguns. You see, permit wasn’t nearly as difficult as I anticipated. Yes, there I didn’t grow up around firearms. is a reasonable amount of paperwork involved, complete with notarized letters of character reference, but in the end it was With exception to a childhood all well worth it. fascination with a Beretta water For those not familiar with applying for a pistol permit in New York City, the applicant is required to provide the make, pistol I desperately wanted or model, and caliber of the firearm they wish to purchase in advance of actually of getting the permit. The catch-22 is hours after school playing Duck that unless you already possess a pistol permit you cannot Hunt on the family Nintendo, I simply walk into a gun store and even touch or dry fire a handgun. Therein lies the problem, especially for a lot of was your average suburban kid female shooters who have smaller hands or grip strength. growing up near Cleveland, Ohio. How could a new shooter possibly know which firearm will suit them best without the ability to ‘try it on’, so to speak? Guns were only something I saw I often recommend for those interested in purchasing their in movies, which is ironically the very first firearm in New York to venture to nearby states, like Connecticut, where the laws are slightly different. There, they direction I ended up heading.
GUN A NEW YORK GIRL NAVIGATES THE WORLD OF FIREARMS
16 | sure shots mag | issue 20
sureshotsmag.com |  17
Photo courtesy of Bree Michael Warner.
can go into the local range and, with the help of the in-house RSO, rent various handguns and at least test them out before committing to one. The alternative is like buying a pair of shoes without trying them on, except the difference is you’re buying a tool that can very well save your life. Finding out after you’ve already made the purchase that the grip frame is too large for your hand or the trigger pull too heavy is an expensive lesson to learn. Of course there’s also the natural fascination with tricked out pistols that ooze bling, and this holds true for both men and women. Looking around at SHOT Show, it’s clear that the market for unique and colorful firearms is growing. Companies like Zev Technologies and Agency Arms are upping their game when it comes to the traditional little black gun. For a gal like me, I can’t help but gravitate towards everything outside of the status quo, which brings me back to my New York City roots. There I was, this fashionista-hopeful, living in Manhattan, deciding to introduce firearms into my closet of designer handbags and redbottomed shoes. Two very different worlds suddenly collided. I must admit, it was rather comical to receive such strange looks of concern among my circle of entertainment-world peers, most of whom reside on the far left. However, embarking on this mission not only empowered me as an independent woman, but also gave a bolstered confidence in defending myself in the hustle of 8 million NYC residents. As far as I was concerned, the benefits far outweighed the naysayers, so I began educating myself with the world of firearms from the ground up. Unlike the already existing restrictions within the state of New York, the laws of pistol ownership in New York City are regulated even further. The biggest challenge is that the majority of permits granted within the five boroughs are ‘premise only.’ This translates to permission to store and utilize the firearm in defense of the home or business only with limited transportation to and from the range and in a locked box. Full-carry, otherwise referred to as concealed carry permits are like getting a ticket to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. They are virtually non-existent unless you have credible threats against your life or some other very specialized justification. For most residents, a premise permit becomes the only option available to them, along with a myriad of restrictions. With regards to shooting ranges allowed for use, those too have to be located within the five
“I think my paranoia of inadvertently breaking the law speaks volumes as to why many of the existing laws and restrictions really do nothing to deter crime.” 18 | sure shots mag | issue 20
boroughs of city and are somewhat scarce. For most city dwellers like myself who didn’t own a vehicle, my locked gun box had to be carried in a bag or backpack with the hope that no one tried to steal it en route. Ammunition is a whole other story, as permit holders are only allowed to legally store no more than 200 rounds in their home at any given time. Your training ammo for the range was also to be transported in a locked container but separate from the firearm. It was generally recommended that you simply buy ammunition at the range since transporting ammo and the locked firearm in the same bag presented somewhat of a grey area. It wasn’t unusual to receive conflicting information on whether or not it was illegal since the use of public transportation versus a personal vehicle was unique to residents of New York. If you think about it, it makes very little sense to be forced to carry your firearm and ammunition in a bag that can easily be stolen right off your back on a crowded subway. So to help safeguard against this, I would either elect to take a cab or use a nondescript bag as my ‘range bag’ and preferably one that had a cross body strap. In the beginning, I carried the NYPD permit guidebook with me in event that I was unclear about a specific section of law or randomly selected for a security bag check at the subway turnstile. I think my paranoia of inadvertently breaking the law speaks volumes as to why many of the existing laws and restrictions really do nothing to deter crime. As the majority of gun owners would express, it’s only the upstanding citizens who actually abide by them. The last thing I wanted was to risk losing what I worked so hard to get or worse yet, to be charged criminally for an innocent mistake. Despite those temporary moments of frustration, the trade-off between a minor inconvenience and the ability to protect myself still made it well worth it in my eyes. Moving out of the city center definitely helped open up the reins a bit and for that, I am thankful. Gun ownership along with ongoing training provides the opportunity and skill set to defend my home, my family and myself. You realize
Photos courtesy of Bree Michael Warner.
“Being better prepared with training improves marksmanship, malfunction clearing and overall confidence.”
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during the journey that encouraging others who live in similarly restricted areas to investigate their permit process is incredibly important. It’s very easy for new shooters to get discouraged. I tell each of them to take the time and research directly with their local governments, as many of them have websites with valuable information on the process. When in doubt, run a Google search. My advice with that is to avoid third party companies that charge a fee to submit your permit application for you. It’s an unnecessary expense and you’re better off getting more correct and up to date information directly from the issuing office. It might involve some legwork but not it’s impossible, even in the toughest cities like New York. Another crucial step is selecting the right firearm. That can be a little tougher, especially when the first thing we notice is how it looks and not necessary how it shoots. So often as women, we are mesmerized by the glitz we see in magazines and somehow, when it comes to firearms, we can naturally seek the same. I’m not saying there aren’t some gorgeous guns out on the market. In fact, both my 1911 and my CCW are some of my favorites in my collection. They are not only visual stunners but, more importantly, function well and consistently. The later is something often overlooked when manufacturers spend more time on the beauty than the functionality. Non-factory modifications are also something to watch out for and do your research on. There’s a huge trend with modifying Glocks with lightening cut slides, ported barrels
Pistol features that are banned under the NY SAFE Act Applies to semiautomatic guns with one or more of these characteristics: b Folding or Telescoping Stock b Thumbhole Stock b Second handgrip or protruding grip that can be held by non-trigger hand b Capacity to accept an ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol outside the pistol grip b A threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, a flash suppressor, forward hand grip or silencer b A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned b A manufactured weight of fifty ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded. * source: NY SAFE Act FAQ
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and after-market triggers. Don’t get me wrong, I love the look of these guns and after SHOT Show I have my eyes on a few, but again, it’s all about the company. It’s best to do the research and hear from other shooters how they perform over time. I’ve had some great experiences with modified Glocks and some really bad ones like malfunctions occurring literally every other round. That’s a no-go in my book when it comes to a personal defense weapon. Another no-go is assuming that by simply having a firearm means you’re instantaneously prepared for life and death situations. There’s a false sense of security that arises out of gun ownership, which leads many new shooters to believe that point shooting is an effective means of self-defense. Could you get lucky and land your shots? Sure. But being better prepared with training improves marksmanship, malfunction clearing and overall confidence. It goes without saying that even the most beautiful handgun is far more than just an accessory. It’s a tool that when used right can effectively save your life. I’d rather have a plain Jane black pistol with stock sights and factory trigger than a blinged out hunk of polymer and steel that I can’t properly aim and fire. There’s a belief in the firearms community that the best money spent is on training. Don’t sacrifice real knowledge and skill for the cost of a good-looking gun just because you see it trending on social media. A firearm can always be sent off to have it cerakoted. A trigger can be swapped and sights upgraded. In fact, the more proficient of a shooter you become you’ll most likely
Bree Michael Warner photo (top right) by Dennis Kwan. All other photos courtesy of Bree Michael Warner.
have a better sense of what modifications, if any, you actually want to make. Again, buying something because you saw it in a magazine and it looked cool may really not be the right option for your needs and shooting style. Despite an appreciation for a bedazzled collection, my foray into firearms began with the complete opposite. I started on a standard Glock 19 and focused more on functional modifications like a stippled grip frame, extended mag release and match barrel, than cosmetic ones. While everyone can add their opinion to the conversation, I find Glock to be a solid company that is consistent in their product and an excellent pistol to learn on. It’s easy to operate, clean and maintain with a lot of latitude in aftermarket modifications for down the road. Is it the only option? Heck no! One of my favorite concealed carry guns is the Sig Sauer P938. It’s small yet robust, chambered in 9mm with a 6-round flush mount magazine or a 7-round extended magazine. The best part is that consumers have a plethora of amazing factory-built color combinations to choose from that appeal to both women and men. This year at shot, I found myself oooing and ahhhing over their new Rose Gold Engraved P938. It was a stunner, no doubt, and an excellent example of design and reliability. Of course, a gorgeous gun commands great accessories and this is when the girl in me really comes out. There are endless possibilities for holsters, range bags, concealed carry purses and tactical gear, all of which create the complete package. Companies like Can Can Concealment, Gun Toten Mamas and Off Hand Gear have fabulous products with the female tastes in mind. But don’t let the men fool you—my boyfriend is just as enthusiastic about style when it comes to tactical wear and accessories as I am. Whether you’re looking for range leggings like the 5.11 Raven Range Pant or a Tiffany blue cerakoted pistol, women are making their mark in the firearms community and thankfully manufacturers are taking notice. New York City may have taught me about designer handbags and red-bottomed shoes, but it wasn’t until I discovered all the amazing innovations in the firearms industry that I uncovered the truly empowered fashionista within me. I also came to realize that they did not have to be mutually exclusive. Being a gun owner didn’t make me any less feminine, just as a fancy handbag never made a girl. A woman is a delicate balance of grace, poise, strength and dignity. She is the sum of her uniqueness and passions without sacrificing her courageous warrior spirit. At the end of the day, you have to be true to you, no matter the pushback you might receive. The best lesson learned is that your true friends will always be there to support you regardless of their feelings towards firearms. Don’t be surprised if one day you find out that you’ve suddenly become the inspiration and resource for those same friends now looking to explore gun ownership for themselves. The best advocacy for personal defense is leading by positive example. Might as well look good while doing so! sureshotsmag.com | 21
Down Under
The life of an Australian shooter By Sarah Jane Jacob
22 | sure shots mag | issue 20
Photo by Fiona Walsh/Gumboots Photography.
GUN GIRL
t’s fair to say, and also very widely recognized, that firearms legislation and shooting culture are very different in Australia, compared to some parts of the United States. Much has been said about the issue of gun control in my country, and in particular, the reforms that were implemented after the tragic Port Arthur massacre in 1996. But what’s it really like to be a shooter and firearm owner in Australia? Are guns really banned over here? How restrictive are the laws on the practice of target shooting? Firstly, I would like to stress that I am not an expert on Australian firearms legislation. Nor can I give any incisive commentary on gun politics in my country that hasn’t already been offered by those who have many more years’ experience in the shooting community than myself. However, I can tell my own personal experience of what it’s like to be a recreational target shooter in Australia. Interested? Read on…
9am on a Saturday morning. Range day! I retrieve my pistol from the gun safe, which is securely bolted to the floor and the wall. From a separate locked metal container, I fetch a few boxes of ammo. I ensure that the pistol has its combination trigger lock securely fitted, then put it into its case and padlock it. The ammunition goes into a smaller metal container which fits into my range bag, and then I load all of my gear into the boot (trunk) of my car and head off to the range. I am greeted cheerily by my fellow shooters, and I help them set up the first stage of this morning’s IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) match. My shooting colleagues are from all walks of life and span all age groups. Several children are here as well, helping out with the running of the day. However, only children aged 12 and over are permitted to shoot in most states, under a minor’s permit. My local target shooting range is typical of most in Australia. Nestled into the bush, surrounded by eucalypt trees, the range is bordered by red flags when shooting is in progress, and signage advising passers-by that live fire activities are conducted in the area. Three-sided wooden sheds provide shelter from the weather and equipment is stored in shipping containers. Each individual range is banked by large berms of earth. On opposite sides of the firing line there is a loading table and an unloading table. The rules of the range are very strict: a loaded firearm is only ever pointed down range, and most ranges do not allow any loaded firearm—even one that is holstered—to leave the firing line. Volunteer range officers ensure that these safety rules are complied with. Most target shooting clubs are run by enthusiastic, unpaid members, although there are a small number which are run as commercial enterprises with paid staff. What should be immediately obvious from my Saturday morning ritual is that guns are not banned altogether in Australia. There are numerous restrictions on the use and ownership of firearms, however. Although the laws differ slightly from state to state, all shooters must be licensed, all firearms registered, and shooters must have a “genuine reason” for owning and using firearms. Self defense is not considered to be a genuine reason. Handguns are strictly regulated; the only reason a member of the public is permitted to own one is for the purpose of competitive target shooting at a pistol club. Side arms cannot be used for hunting. Ammunition must be securely stored in locked containers which must meet stringent requirements. Certain types of firearms—such as semi-automatic rifles—are much more sureshotsmag.com | 23
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Sarah with SSAA Range Officer and veteran shooter Ray Vallerine.
Two of the ranges at the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA) Glenorchy Club. The right-hand range is set up for a Western Action shoot.
Sarah with range local Henry the Labrador during the lunch break. A “sausage sizzle” (barbequed sausages in bread) is typically served at lunchtime on shoot days.
Photos by Fiona Walsh/Gumboots Photography.
difficult to obtain and require the owner to hold a specialist license. These are usually only granted to professional shooters. Most firearms legislation is guided by the National Firearms Agreement, although the individual laws vary slightly from state to state. What does the general public of Australia think of gun ownership? I can only comment from my own personal experience and the many discussions I have had with other Australian shooters and non-shooters over the years. Views on guns in Australia vary widely, as is to be expected in any country. I have noticed that a lot of Australians seem to view the issue of gun ownership through the lens of the American experience, as it is much more visible in the public domain, even out here in Australia. I think it’s safe to say that more Australians than not believe gun ownership and use should be strictly regulated. This includes some who are firearm owners themselves. The most common reaction I get from non-shooters when they discover I am a target shooter is curiosity. Most people I talk to think that target shooting is an interesting and exciting sport. Quite a few people have either tried it once before or express interest in giving it a go. Clay target shooting at a public range is a popular choice for stag and hen’s nights (bachelor and bachelorette parties), and there are shooting businesses set up to cater to these groups without requiring the participants to be licensed shooters. The process of obtaining a firearms license and acquiring a firearm is quite onerous and long-winded, and this is a major deterrent to would-be firearm owners. It is probably a major reason why target shooting is not a more popular sport in Australia in the present day. In my home state, it usually takes at least six months to obtain a license, and you must pass a firearm safety course to qualify. You must then wait a further six months before being allowed to purchase a handgun. Rifles and shotguns can be obtained as soon
as you are granted your firearm license. Some states have stricter who compete in the shooting disciplines. The Australian shooting regulations than this, others less so. community is currently enjoying a renewed public interest in the Many target shooters are social shooters – they love coming shooting sports after Catherine Skinner’s gold medal win in the to the range on a weekend or week night to catch up with likeWomen’s Trap event at the Rio Olympic Games last year. minded people and engage in friendly competition. Other clubs Australia is home to a vibrant, active community of shooters are more focused on competition at local, state, national and who participate in a wide range of disciplines. From the even international level. Some competitions, outside looking in, some non-shooters such as 3 Gun and Wild Bunch, cannot be might view us as being rather insular. This Handguns are strictly run under international rules in Australia tendency is perhaps due to the unflattering regulated – the only because of legislation restrictions on the misconceptions about shooting that are types of firearms that can be used. However, perpetuated by some in the media, which reason a member of the some clubs run modified versions of these compel shooters to stick together. Certainly, public is permitted to own competitions using the types of firearms that my experience is that when two people one is for the purpose can legally be owned here. discover they are both shooters, an instant In Australia, there are many female and kinship is formed! Personally, I am always of competitive target male shooters who are serious contenders at happy to discuss my shooting lifestyle with shooting at a pistol club. international level. In the disciplines of IPSC others, and I’m keen to introduce my passion Handgun and Action Pistol, for example, we to newcomers. From my conversations with boast numerous women who have won a World Championship shooters from around the world, I believe this to be a common title in the Ladies Division. National championship competitions trait of most in the global shooting community. This is also usually attract between 300 and 500 competitors. Australia is also one of many reasons why I am proud to identify myself as a home to numerous Olympic and Commonwealth Games medalists target shooter, and I always endeavour to conduct myself as a in shooting. We are very much a sporting nation and Australians responsible, law-abiding citizen in order to promote my chosen are generally very supportive of any elite athlete, including those sport as a safe, fun and welcoming activity for all. Rob Cairns from Southeast Firearms shows Sarah the new Adler lever action shotgun.
Sarah Jane Jacob is an Australian shooting sports journalist and fitness instructor. She writes for several Australian print magazines and runs two blogs – Gun Girl Down Under (gungirldownunder.com) and Fitness for Shooters (fitnessforshooters.com). She is passionate about promoting the shooting sports in Australia through her writing.
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LOOK
GREAT SHOOT
STRAIGHT Photos by Nathan Paul
Makeup by Larry Trae’Von | Hair by Ellie Mae Leal | Styled by Willie Johnson III Clothing by Stephen Goudeau, Levenity, and Pink Lucy By Tiffany T’Shemise Walker
Amy Robbins is a TV host, model, producer, lifestyle blogger and NRA instructor. While hosting GunTV and NRATV’s Noir, Amy’s passion for firearms grew. Once she became licenced to carry, it became Amy’s mission to help women to never have to sacrifice fashion for function, so she launched Look Great and Shoot Straight—a blog that offers tips and tricks on how to fuse fashion, beauty, fitness and firearms, proving that gun owners don’t fit just one stereotype, and that these worlds are not mutually exclusive. This hard-working, talented Dallas native is helping women everywhere live the confident, fulfilled life they were born to live, one post at a time. 26 | sure shots mag | issue 20
Guns featured in the photos: Amy’s custom Zev Technologies Glock 19 with Zev custom grip and trigger guard stippling, Z17 Spartan Slide with RMR Absolute Co-witness Sight Cut, fiber optic front site, match grade barrel, extended mag release and Zev Fulcrum Ultimate Trigger Kit; two Glock 19s; two Glock 43s; an LWRC M6 6.8 SPC 14.5” with pinned Gemtech QD mount, MagPul UBR stock and 3.5x ACOG; and a POF/Adams Arms SBR courtesy of BSG Security Services.
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Style Me Tactical
FIELD OF DREAMS If there is one thing I can never have enough of in my wardrobe, it is any type of light jacket. They are a great layering piece and a perfect transition item during cold to warm weather (or vice versa). One of my favorite light jackets to wear is a field jacket or, as it’s sometimes called, a utility jacket. Taking inspiration from military-issue jackets, these updated styles offer versatility and femininity, all with a dose of cool girl vibes and they provide great coverage if you’re carrying concealed. While the majority of field jackets still come in the quintessential olive green, they are being adorned with belted waists, embroidery, patches and bold buttons to give them a modern twist. These field jackets will seamlessly pair with shorts, jeans, skirts, or dresses and easily can go from an afternoon at the range to a night out on the town. —Emily Valentine
1. Studded Utility Jacket $35, forever21.com 2. M cKewdley Fatigue Jacket $158, nordstrom.com 3. H inge Utility Jacket $99, nordstrom.com 4. B elted Field Jacket $60, hm.com 5. G ap Utility Jacket $98, gap.com 6. Not Your Brother’s Surplus Jacket $148, freepeople.com 7. Levi’s Hooded Utility Jacket $99, nordstrom.com 8. D owntown Field Jacket $148, jcrew.com 9. E mbroidered Field Jacket $168, anthropologie.co
Check out the Style Me Tactical blog: stylemetactical.com | Follow Style Me Tactical on Instagram: @ stylemetactical
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Compiled and laid out by Style Me Tactical. *Some items may no longer be available.
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WOMEN in the INDUSTRY
Founder/ CEO Concealed Carrie Corp.
Leslie Deets
Leslie Deets is Concealed Carrie. She recognized a need for good quality women’s products and set out to make them. And she hasn’t stopped with her line of concealed carry handbags; she even has an innovative athletic shirt for women who enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. We appreciate her classic style and bold entrepreneurial attitude. –Carrin Welch Sure Shots Magazine: Please tell us a little about yourself and your background. Leslie Deets: Concealed Carrie is recognized in the industry and the most fashionable quality solution for women’s conceal and carry needs. We’ve been described as “designer handbags, designed with a purpose.” SSM: How long has Concealed Carrie been in business? LD: 2013 was our first calendar year. SSM: Have you always been involved in the shooting/ tactical/firearms community? LD: My husband was a Dekalb County, Georgia police officer before we met. He introduced me to the industry through shooting sports. However, I’ve always owned a gun since a personal attack against me occurred in college. SSM: Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. LD: I’m a BFA graduate of the University of Georgia. I studied design and architecture and have always had an artistic flair (so to speak).
Photo courtesy of Leslie Deets. Photo courtesy of Brownells.
SSM: What made you decide to start Concealed Carrie? LD: My family owns a gun range, training facility and retail store in Roswell, Georgia called Sharp Shooters USA. When we opened our doors six years ago, I had a difficult time finding quality merchandise to offer our female customers. I, too, had a hard time carrying my weapon. I’m not comfortable with a body holster and won’t carry an ugly handbag. I was leaving my firearm in the car until I decided there needed to be a better solution. Why should woman have to compromise fashion for function? Why can’t my conceal-carry handbag look like Coach or Michael Kors? I started Concealed Carrie to fill the gap between tactical and fashionable solutions. We want women to feel empowered while enhancing their wardrobe. SSM: What is the best part of your job? LD: Hearing from our satisfied customers. I receive wonderful feedback. It’s also the little things: I was on a flight coming back from a trade show, and sitting next to me was a woman who noticed my signature and logo on the e-mails that I was checking on my laptop. After a few minutes, she leaned over and asked, “Are you Carrie?” “Yes,” I replied, “But my name is Leslie.” We laughed. (Everyone calls me Carrie.) She went on to tell me that she has purchased from us in the past and loves our products! What are the odds of sitting right next to a satisfied and protected customer? SSM: Have there been any lessons your work life has taught you? LD: Persistence. It’s never been an easy task to start and launch a product line. We’ve made mistakes, corrections and alterations to our designs and business plans. We’ve tripped and gotten back up, knowing that if we provide one woman with the opportunity to fight back when she might not otherwise, then all this hard work will have
been worth it. We even note as a warranty: If you should be involved in an altercation and forced to shoot through one of our products and provide us with a police report, we’ll replace it for FREE. SSM: If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? LD: Good question. In an unrelated field entirely—Sara Blakely, the Founder and CEO of Spanx. She came up with a simple idea and created a nationally successful and recognized brand. It’s a great example that whatever we put our minds to, there is nothing women can’t accomplish. SSM: What is your primary weapon and why? LD: I carry a Walther PK-380 or Glock 43, which is also a 380 cal. They just suit me. SSM: What are some important lessons you have learned while running Concealed Carrie? LD: Take all sales or projections as a prediction; not fact. Every day, month and year brings new challenges and surprises, both positive and negative. I’ve met a great group of individuals in this industry. Everyone watches out for everyone else. We are all in this together and share similar values and core beliefs when it comes to upholding our second amendment rights. SSM: What do our readers have to look forward to in the future from Concealed Carrie? LD: We are always introducing new products. This year we launched Concealed Cary (for him)—note the spelling as in Cary Grant. I’d had numerous men ask, “What about us?” We encourage feedback and suggestions and base many of our styles on customer comments. SSM: What is the best shooting advice you have been given that you feel might be important to share with our readers? LD: If you decide to carry a weapon, lethal or less lethal, be familiar with its design components. Practice, be aware, be responsible and be prepared and willing to use it should the need arise. We can’t always rely on some else to protect us. Justice Department statistics show that a woman is attacked every 90 seconds in the US and 1 in 5 will be the victim of a personal attack on a college campus. These are just the ones that are reported and we know about. Consider how many go un-reported. SSM: Where do you see Concealed Carrie in five years? I hope to see continued growth and more opportunities in the future, such as this article, to share our passion for self-defense and empowerment. SSM: And for our final question… If you could be any character in a movie to be who would it be and why? Jessica Rabbit. She can’t help it, they just draw her that way ;) sureshotsmag.com | 37
GOTTA
GET Sometimes you see a new twist on a current concept and it just stops you in your tracks. We fell in love with the Diamond Pistol Ring by New York City jewelry design company Finn. Their 18-karat solid gold ring features a pistol “shooting” a custom-cut 0.18-carat baguette diamond. At $3,500, it’s definitely a splurge, but it just may be the perfect ring with which to propose to your Gun Girl... right, guys? The Diamond Pistol Ring retails for $3,500 and is available at finnjewelry.com.
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I live in a Sig household. From the very start of my interest in firearms, I favored Sig Sauer’s models over any others. The reasons for this were both aesthetic (I come from a design background) and performance. Sigs just work best for me. While the number of Sigs in our gun safes is solidly in the double-digits, one was recently added, and this one is much different from the rest—it is the Sig Sauer P220-10 Stainless Elite SAO. For years, Sig Sauer enthusiasts have been wishing for the classic P-Series to be chambered for the powerful 10mm cartridge. Some even went so far as to have all stainless P-220’s converted—at no small expense—to handle the slide velocity and recoil generated by a round that can deliver over 1300 fps or 700 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy. The 10mm cartridge has never caught on with the mainstream as much as 9mm, 45ACP, and more recently the .40 S&W, but has maintained an extremely devoted following since its introduction in the early 1980s. As a matter of fact, the .40 S&W round was developed by shortening the 10mm round to create a caliber with less recoil. In 2014, SIG announced they would be making three models chambered in 10mm: P220 Stainless Elite DA/SA, P220 Match Elite Stainless DA/SA with 5” barrel and a P220 SAO (Single Action Only) stainless with a 5” barrel. This announcement was met with extreme excitement by all the fans that had thought it couldn’t be done, or that it wasn’t practical. Loaded with 180 gr. FMJ’s, you know you are shooting a serious caliber when you shoot the P220-10. The size and the weight of the gun help to mitigate it to some degree, but even with practice loads, it has quite the noticeable kick. The muzzle rises to almost a 90-degree angle, at least it did when I shot it. The SAO trigger is smooth, with a sharp reset. Of course, the gun feels heavy and solid; I prefer shooting heavier guns not only because of the reduced felt-recoil, but because they just generally feel better in my hands than polymer guns. The custom G-10 grips from the factory not only look great, but they’ve the perfect amount of “agressiveness” for my taste. The sights on this gun are easy to acquire, and I got my sight picture immediately. With a smooth press of the trigger, I placed my shot exactly where I wanted it. While I was happy with my shot placement and grouping throughout the 50 rounds I put through it, I was definitely affected by the recoil. For me, this isn’t a gun I would take to weekly practice at the range. However, I know that if I needed to pick this gun up in a defensive situation, it would definitely stop the threat. While the P220-10 Elite is not currently being offered by Sig Sauer, there is a comparable model, the “Hunter,” currently on sigsauer.com. Both the Hunter and the Elite models retail for $1,629. —Niki Jones
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9mm vs. 10mm round
My P938 Equinox next to the P220-10 Elite
Photos courtesy of Flashbang. Photos by Niki Jones.
SIG SAUER P220-10 ELITE
SPECS 10mm Auto Single Action Only, with Ambidextrous safety 5-Inch Match-Grade barrel Full-Size, Stainless Frame w/beavertail Nitron finish Accessory rail Custom G-10 grips Overall length - 8.6” Weight (unloaded) - 39.4 oz ADJ. Rear sight with Tritium/Fiber Optic front sight
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Ridge Footwear Packin’ Tee covers the barrel as well as the trigger guard and is open at the end of the muzzle. The elastic is strong and well-constructed. The placement I chose for best draw happened to be low on the panel, which meant that the lower half of the holster was not attached to the panel—this didn’t affect the performance, but it did make the OCD in me want to line it up at the bottom (which would have resulted in a much higher placement). If there are subsequent design versions of this tee, I hope they extend the panel down further. I placed the mag pouch at a similar position on my other side, and in it went my spare mag, flashlight and pepper spray, plus my credentials card. Because the pouch has the same strong elastic as the holster, everything stayed nice and secure; the items were easy to grab (and easy to put back in, too). Over the Packin’ Tee, I wore a mediumweight button-up shirt, and my gun was virtually undetectable—if you looked really hard, you could sort of see that my chest looked a little square on the side, but I can’t imagine anyone seeing it would know what it is. Throughout my eight-hour job, I could not have been more comfortable in the Packin’ Tee. It stayed tucked in to my pants, and it didn’t get in the way when my arms were at my sides; it kept everything flush against my body and absolutely nothing shifted or moved. It also didn’t sag or lose shape, which I later learned was because the shoulder and holes are reinforced, to prevent just that. I can’t say enough great things about the Packin’ Tee; it was a total success and will be my go-to gear rig for future protection jobs, plus any other time I feel like mixing it up with my ECD. The Ridge Footwear Packin’ Tee is available in black or white and retails for $42. Holster and pouches are $6 each. All are available at ridgefootwear.com. —Niki Jones
Photos by Lisa Muñoz.
As a License To Carry holder, my EDC consists of a Sig Sauer P938 in a Kydex appendix IWB holster. I’ve gotten so comfortable with it, I sometimes almost forget it’s there (I said almost!). I happen to be a Personal Protection Officer, which means I’m hired to provide armed security in plain clothes. By law, my firearm must be concealed. When I am working these protection jobs, I carry a lot more than my EDC—a gun, spare mag, pepper spray, knife, flashlight and credentials must be on my person for the duration of the job. Usually these items get stashed in pockets and clipped onto my belt, which can sometimes be annoying when it comes time to use the restroom. This system also weighs down my belt and is uncomfortable as it rests on my hipbones. When Ridge Footwear sent me their Packin’ Tee Shirt to try out, I was impressed with the quality of the fabric; it’s thick, sturdy, pre-shrunk soft cotton. I’m usually pretty picky about tee-shirt fit—I prefer mine long and narrow—and this one had a nice cut and a length that was definitely long enough for me. I figured I’d try it out as a regular EDC at the office, but then I got booked for a protection job and decided to instead see how the tee fared with all the tools needed for the job. Ridge Footwear included in my package a Packin’ Tee System holster (right-hand draw, size small, for my P938—there’s a gun-sizing chart on the company’s website to help decide which size you’ll need) and mag pouches, so I immediately began to configure my set up. There are hook and loop attachment panels on the sides of the tee that are large enough to allow for some placement variations. I tried drawing from a few different placements and settled on one that felt great. The velcro is so strong (“commercial-grade”) that I didn’t have any sort of fear of it detaching, even with a loaded gun. The holster’s tension comes from thick elastic which
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UNIVERSAL LETHAL LACE HOLSTER a restroom and reset the wrap. Upon returning home, I decided to try out another option, so I moved the wrap to my thigh. Surprisingly, I found that it was a much easier method of securing the wrap while still fully concealing my firearm. I also tested this on my calf, which worked great under pants with a wider fit or an anklelength skirt. With both the calf and thigh options, my gun felt fully secured, concealed, and easy to access. Ultimately, I love the concept of the wrap, and think it’s a great alternative for women in the market for a concealed holster. While I personally felt my curves compromised the wrap’s position when worn around my torso, the leg options turned out to be a great chice. This is definitely a solid product! The Universal Lethal Lace Holster retails for $51.99 and is available at lethallace.com. —Meredith Dishman
Photo by Carrin Welch.
Ever since I acquired my License To Carry, I’ve been on a mission to find a way to carry daily that is both comfortable and practical. I’ve tried several holster options, and don’t mind most, but I still haven’t found one that is a perfect fit for me. On a friend’s recommendation, I tested out the Lethal Lace wrap, and initially was extremely pleased with the comfort level and ability to wear it around my midsection without it interfering with my waistline or pulling down on my belt. At first, I struggled a bit with placement—I wanted to ensure my gun was snug and the wrap covered my midsection, as shown on the demos I watched online. After getting the hang of the placement, I strapped on the wrap (the clasps that secure the wrap are strong, which is a huge plus) and set out for a trial run. As I walked around, I began to notice a shift in its placement. I have curves, which ultimately caused the wrap to fold over on itself when I sat, shifting my gun a bit. When I stood up, I felt as though it shifted enough to cause me to find
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