SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 14 | November 2015
16 FEATURE
EYE IN THE SKY Niki Jones flies out with the Austin Police Deptartment Air Support Unit.
24 FEATURE
Locked, loaded & Luxurious Concealed carry purses rise to the next level.
30 FEATURE
SURE SHOTS girls’ dove hunt: revealed Amanda Bull tells all about this annual event.
TRAINING 07
stress: training through tension
10
S.I.R.T. training
14 Taking the Leap: Transitioning from Sport Shooting to Gunfighting
Feature pictorial by dustin meyer 36
SURE SHOT BECCA
LIFESTYLE 42 One to watch 43 WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY 45 My first time 46
rustic rosemary venison
48
ammo roundup
REVIEWS 50 Saddleback leather pistol wrap 52 UNDER ARMOUR Women’s UA Tactical Patrol Pant 53 Safariland Shooter’s Range Bag Death Dealer Tactical Range Bag
FROM THE EDITOR
T
he nights before big photoshoots, I can never seem to sleep, especially when the theme is supercool, like it was for this issue. The team met in downtown Austin before dawn, so we could get the shots we needed with some amazing light (and no pesky people around). Soon after we arrived, we heard the growling rumble of an engine, and then a few moments later, our car for the shoot appeared: a 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG convertible, compliments of Mercedes-Benz of Austin. What a beauty! The shoot went off without a hitch. Dustin nailed the shots—the Congress Avenue shot in front of the Texas Capitol may be our best one yet! We even had our friends from APD there for the hang (though we bet they were just there to check out the car). Speaking of Austin Police Department, I was very lucky to have had the opportunity to fly out with APD’s Air Support Unit, which not only was thrilling and one of the coolest things I’ve done to date, but I learned a great deal and I’m glad I got to share my experience with our readers in this issue. Our Issue 14 cover girl Becca Thompson is not only a member of Sure Shots Magazine’s staff, but she is truly a badass and one of my close girlfriends, so it’s exciting for me to see her on the cover and killin’ it in our feature pictorial. Not only do we have our gorgeous pictorial, but this issue’s got our first-ever fashion editorial featuring a company whose products I’ve been coveting since SHOT Show. Beau + Arrow’s stunning aesthetic is right in line with everything Sure Shots Magazine believes—that you don’t have to sacrifice style for function—and our beautiful fashion story in this issue proves it. Now that the weather’s finally cooled down, Carrin, Jenna, Becca and the rest of the Sure Shots are back in the groove: training hard, hunting and competing. We hope y’all are training hard too, but most of all, we hope you enjoy this issue as much as we do. Shoot straight! -Niki
Becca’s wedding, June 2015 Post-flight delight! Photoshoot Dream Team: Carrin Welch, Dustin Meyer, Becca Thompson, Jenna Johnson, me, and Jackie Romero from Mercedes-Benz of Austin 4 | sure shots mag | issue 14
Founder and editor-in-chief
Niki Jones associate editor and webmaster
Carrin Welch Copy Editor
Jenna Johnson Content Lead
Becca Spinks Advertising Sales
Holly Gaylor Cass Mascorro contributors
Marta Alzonzo Amanda Bull Ramona Dear Matthew Fechter Joe Fernandez Christopher Hayden Ralph Horne Diana Hufstedtler Tammy Hunter Rebecca Jenkins Rui Jiang Clover Lawson Dustin Meyer Steve Miles Brian Papke Laina Stevens Birgit Warner Jessica Wright
Sure Shots Magazine is a free publication. For submission requirements, email sureshotsmagazine@gmail.com All content Š2015 Sure Shots Magazine. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at sureshotsmagazine.com.
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Stressed.
Training through the tension
Photo Hunter. Photosby byTammy Mike Pendley.
By jessica wright What is stress? According to Webster’s, it’s “a physical, chemical or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension.” So, it’s how your body reacts to certain situations or influences. We, as human beings, are in a constant fight for balance in our lives. Balancing kids, jobs, spouses, friends, finances, the list could go on and on. For me, that struggle is trying to balance a life with a veteran spouse who struggles with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. sureshotsmagazine.com sureshotsmag.com | 7
Photo by Matthew Fechter.
as well. Think about it, for those who have shot PTSD comes along with many different before, when you hit that bullseye, how did you symptoms and side-effects, like lack feel? Powerful, excited, proud of yourself for of sleep, the inability to handle stress, achieving something others have not. That’s a paranoia for some, nightmares, etc. great confidence booster! I found myself trying to balance I have been fortunate enough to be able everything of the normal day to day to come to this self-realization, but others life on top of the VA appointments, still struggle with their stress. I’m sure some paperwork, and bureaucracy. This of you are unaware that 22 veterans a day wore me down to more commit suicide. This than I could bare and is heartbreaking. I wasn’t really aware “I felt that I was better able to There are programs of it. Last year, I was control my frustrations and not that actually take extremely burnt out. emotionally vomit on someone veterans to the range I was in a job where I when I had a rough day.” as a stress relief! There was miserable, which are so many other I eventually left, and programs and organizations out there to help I had no hobbies. That’s when I finally these veterans, and their families as well, like started training for the first ever allMission 22, Task Force Dagger, Operation ladies match, Brownell’s Lady 3 Gun Homefront, Operation Homefront’s Hearts of Pro-Am. I felt a change in myself, in Valor, 22 Until None, Heroes on the Water, my attitude. I felt that I was better and No Barriers Warriors, just to name a few. able to control my frustrations and not emotionally vomit on someone when I had a rough day. I looked forward to my training. It helped me release stress. But how, you ask? Most people try to battle stress with some form of meditation, a controlled state of relaxation where the focus is on breathing and being acutely aware of the smaller muscles in the body. Others try the physical aggression, punching a pillow, punching bag, or even screaming, but the problem with that is it can raise your adrenaline so high that you have the crashing effect afterward, which isn’t healthy. Shooting is much like meditation in the sense that you clear your mind, you focus intently on the stage or the bullseye on the target, and you are focusing on your breathing and how you want to squeeze that trigger in between breathes with the small muscles in your trigger finger. Not only is this a physical reaction to alleviate stress, but there is also a chemical reaction. Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins are the four neurotransmitters that are responsible for happiness and many things can trigger these neurotransmitters. While shooting, the increase in attention, the flow of information, such as where you hit the target on the last shot, pattern recognition of a stage, releases the dopamine in the brain, which changes your heart rate, blood pressure and muscle firing timing in the body. Dopamine also serves as a skill-booster
I do want to say that I am no doctor or psychiatrist, and my research is based on my own experience and knowledge, so take it as you may, but I know the change it’s made in me and I will continue to tell people how it has helped in my life. If you do not believe me, please go out and try it for yourself! Thank you to my sponsors: Trop Gun Shop, Vigilance Tactical, WildEar Hearing Boosters, Rainier Ballistics, Legendary Arms Works, Dissident Arms, Nordic Components, Weapon Shield, CMC Triggers, Sure Shots, ESS Eye Safety Systems, Lantac USA and Prois Women’s Hunting Apparel. Without their constant support in the shooting industry, none of this would be possible. Facebook: facebook.com/powerhousemouse Twitter: @powerhousemouse Instagram: powerhousemouse YouTube: JessicaWrightpowerhousemouse
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Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger Why I Use a Training Pistol for Dry Fire Practice. By Diana Hufstedler photos by Ralph Horne
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You need to dry fire.
Period. The benefits are countless and obvious so I won’t take time convincing you why you should. Instead, I will list several reasons why using a training pistol like the SIRT is a good idea.
1. Safety. We all (hopefully) know the fundamental rules of gun safety. However, mistakes do happen and more often than not – at home while dry-firing an “unloaded” firearm. Fortunately, you simply cannot have a bad oopsie with a training pistol. The same can’t be said about regular handguns, .22’s and even air guns. And yes – you can shoot your eye out with one of those! 2. Realism. While I don’t have first hand experience with many different training pistols, the SIRT that I own is pretty darn close to the real deal – from shape, weight and looks, to controls, feel and functionality. It literally makes me feel like I am pulling the trigger on my real pistol, I can aim and even drop mags and reload. 3. Ease of Use. You do not need an instruction manual, special location or equipment – you can dry fire anytime, (almost) anywhere. I dry fire at home after work while sitting on the couch or (shhh) on the potty, at my hotel room while on trips, on the porch “shooting” birds and squirrels, etc. The possibilities are endless. 4. Savings. You can save a considerable amount of cash spent on ammo if you replace even one trip to the range each month and opt to pewpew imaginary ammo. Just sayin’. 5. Teach others. A training pistol is not only a great tool for personal practice; it can also help you teach new shooters proper stance, grip, sight picture and trigger control. It is tremendously helpful when introducing women, juniors or small-framed men to guns for the first time. It allows for accurate instruction, while reducing fear, anxiety and the risk of mishandling. 6. Fun. The main reason I started dry firing is because I can enjoy pulling the trigger as much as I want and aim at almost anything (please don’t point at people, even though the gun is fake). The training pistol I own is equipped with a laser so can see what I hit. Everything can safely be a target – from light switches and bulbs, deer mounts on the wall, bowls and cups on the counter, to objects on TV, fish in the tank, shampoo & perfume bottles on the counter, etc. Also, cats and dogs go gaga over chasing the laser—seriously, you should try it. 7. Gamification. As if shooting random objects around the house is not good enough, you can now purchase add-ons like the LaserLyte plinking cans which react to the laser and fall or the L.A.S.R. software, which uses your webcam to track time and shot placement to produce actual scores for up to 9 people! Adds a whole new meaning to Game Night with your pals/gals! 8. You can drink & shoot. ‘Nuff said. If you have not previously considered investing in one, I strongly urge you to consider. It will be one of the best investments you’ll make for yourself or as a nice gift for a loved one. Trust me—it guarantees hours of safe and guilt-free entertainment for the whole family.
Diana Hufstedler is a professional three-gun, USPSA and IDPA competitor, a member of team Taran Tactical Innovations, and a blogger at www.sassbrassnbullets.com. Follow her on www.Facebook.com/Diana.Hufstedler for more pics, video and funny gun stuff.
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SIRT Training Pistol, $239, nextleveltraining.com
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Taking the Leap: Transitioning from Sport Shooting to Gunfighting A Q&A with Steve Miles, Founder of ALIVE! Gunfighting® Steve Miles is a retired soldier and lifelong martial artist who founded the ALIVE! Gunfighting® system in 2012. ALIVE!™ represents the fusion of his military training expertise, previous martial arts and combatives training, and combat experience. Steve currently teaches full-time in Central Texas and elsewhere by invitation. Interview by Becca Thompson
Steve Miles: Yes, it might sound reasonable that sport shooting skill could translate directly into personal defense competency, but this assumption is short sighted and dangerous. I often point out that “gunfighting” is a compound word, it involves shooting skill but also fighting. Shooting is a task one might perform within the context of a gunfight, but there is a lot more to personal defense than just shooting. Personal defense training with firearms needs to have both components: shooting and fighting. BT: So what are the biggest differences between sport shooting and personal defense “gunfighting”? SM: The biggest difference is the “two-way” context of a gunfight. Not only are you shooting, but also trying to not get shot, stabbed, or otherwise harmed, and this changes nearly everything. Gunfighting is at the core about pressure, both applying it and receiving it. And of course it’s more than just the pressure to win
a sport shooting match, but prevailing despite a visceral ‘every part of your body wants to not stand in the line-of-fire’ pressure. With that kind of pressure in play gunfighting becomes very different than sport shooting, our tactics and techniques must reflect that. The objectives of sport shooting and personal defense are also different. In one we are trying to get the most points and/or lowest time possible, in the other we want to get home with as little injury as possible. Sport shooting, like golf, is a game played against oneself. In the words of golf legend Arnold Palmer, the game is “deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.” A lifetime can be spent pursuing a good golf swing, and likewise, fast and accurate shooting skills are a never-ending pursuit. In golf scores and target shot groups, the only real demands for proficiency and skill come from our own ego. In contrast, gunfighting is a competitive activity where your opponent is actively resisting and attempting to prevail over you. Unlike chasing the elusive “hole-in-one” in golf or the “onehole shot group” in target shooting, personal defense is about having functional skills, not perfect skills. This difference should also change our approach to training, particularly to how we allocate our training time and resources.
BT: Surely there is still some value to learning to shoot effectively on a square range, right? SM: Absolutely, the differences between sport shooting and personal defense are significant, but there is some crossover. In both activities, something or someone needs to get shot. Although it is uncommon, some potential personal defense shooting situations can look a lot like square range target shooting with little pressure on the shooter in the moment. But, context is everything. Shots we can make with skill in one context, like square range target shooting, may be much more challenging or effectively impossible in another context like a violent criminal assault. BT: What other skills are involved in effective personal defense? SM: Great question, because to be competent in personal defense we need to be training more activities than just target shooting. Prevailing in a threat situation can require physical fitness, situational awareness, verbal de-escalation, handson fighting, proper mindset as well as other skills and attributes. Further, the specific shooting skills required may be quite different than those typically used on the sport shooting range. Fighting indoors, in and around vehicles, in low light, accessing and using our weapon during a close range criminal assault and other possible situations require somewhat different skills. It’s certainly a full plate of training tasks, and we all only have so much time and resources to devote to training. The key to achieving competency in personal defense is prioritizing our training to meet the requirements of our likely threat situations. B: What do you consider to be our most likely threat situations? SM: Everyone’s expected threats are unique. When someone decides they need functional personal defense skills, they should first evaluate what the most likely threats are for them. In my classes the most common threat situations that
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Photo courtesy of Austin Sure Shots.
Becca Thompson: Many new shooters seem to think that if they can shoot a tight group on a paper target, then they will be able to defend themselves with a pistol. What is your take on that?
civilian students say they want to prepare for can be grouped together like this: 1) Street Mugging/Assaults 2) Carjacking/Road Rage Attacks 3) Home Invasion, and 4) Bystander at an Armed Robbery/Active Shooter. It’s worth noting that “Commando Raid to Kill Osama Bin Laden” or “Serve Arrest Warrant with SWAT Team” are not listed, because most gunfighting training courses offered to civilians are unfortunately based on these military and law enforcement contexts. Context matters, and the tactics and techniques needed to deal with threat situations faced by average civilians can be significantly different than those of law enforcement and military. When selecting a training course it’s important that the context of the instruction matches your expected threats. BT: So, I’ve learned to shoot accurately on a square range, and I’ve given careful consideration to my likely threats. How do I take my training to the next level and learn to effectively defend myself in a gunfight situation? SM: Once you’ve determined what your expected threats are, the next thing to do is seek out scenario-based training to immerse yourself in the context of these situations. This type of training is commonly called “Force-on-Force”, and it varies from fully scripted situations with role-players to full oppositional exercises where every participant is
trying to win. Prior Force-on-Force immersion in the context of a threat situation is like looking at the picture on a puzzle box before assembling the puzzle. When one first sees the threat situation in a Force-on-Force exercise they will more readily understand which skills fit and how they need to be employed. Further, they will see which tactics, techniques and gear are not particularly applicable to their expected threat situation. B: Can you explain the “Aha!” moment that students often talk about when experiencing Force-on-Force training for the first time? SM: Force-on-Force immersion brings clarity to the kinds of violent encounters in which most civilians have little experience and this can make for a real eye-opener. Preconceived notions, internet truths, stale training dogmas, square-range shooting habits and most of all egos are quickly obliterated. What is left is a student that understands exactly what the task is, what success looks like, and where they need more work. I think that realization is the “Aha!” moment you are talking about. It’s empowering in the sense that one can see the path to proficiency. With context-appropriate training that includes Force-on-Force immersion, sport shooting fundamentals can be integrated with other skills and attributes to develop personal defense competency.
Photo by Joe Fernandez.
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Photo by Brian Papke.
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it’s 8pm one hot September evening, and I’m sitting
Photo by Joe Fernandez. Fernanzdez.
Air One is, in layman’s terms, badass. When you’re in it, it feels with my friend, Corporal Wut Tantaksinanukij (aka “Tank”) in the much more like a luxury vehicle. It comfortably seats one pilot and Austin Police Department Air Support Unit hangar, waiting for the four passengers, has tons of legroom, and ice-cold air-conditioning night shift to begin. Suddenly a call comes over the radio, and all (which is important when wearing tactical flight suits). The second row the guys yell in unison, “Get to the choppa!”—okay, I made that last has stadium seating (three seats) and panoramic windows are convex, part up, but it would be awesome if they had. However, when the so that you can merely look down from your seat, as opposed to havcall comes in, the team rushes out to Air One, Austin Police Departing to press your face against the window to look down, like you would ment’s state-of-the-art Airbus H125. After a thorough safety check, in an airplane). It’s very quiet inside, and has very low vibration levels. we load up—the pilot, tactical flight officer (TFO), and me—and The call this hot night is regarding a woman who had purposely after the all-clear from Air Control, we ascend over east Austin. cut herself and run off into the woods. Ground units cannot find her. I’d venture to guess that most people don’t give much thought, or Hence, the request for help from the air. We make it to the location even know if their city’s police department has an air support unit. in what seems like mere seconds—Air One typically flies at about I know I had never really considered it; my point of reference to an 70 knots, (roughly 80MPH), with a top speed around 150 knots air unit seemed to be California car chases (OJ, I’m looking at you). (172MPH)—and immediately turn on the spotlight, also known as But once Air One appeared on my radar, the “Night-Sun,” for obvious reasons. It’s I found the unit, and everything it entails, amazing what one can see from this vanWe can quickly spot the man, pretty fascinating. tage point. Circling above at 800 feet in the who is virtually invisible to the Austin Police Department didn’t always air, the Night Sun locates our subject, the naked eye, with the thermal have air support. It wasn’t until December information is relayed to the ground units, image of his body heat. of 2001 that APD got its first helicopter: a and most likely her life has been saved, as her Eurocopter EC120b. Now, after 14 years of injuries are extensive. development, the APD Air Unit is now comprised of ten officers: The next call is to assist with a stolen car that had been involved Four are commercial-rated fixed wing and rotor wing pilots, and six in a chase and had finally pulled over. Again, we are above the are Tactical Flight Officers (even more specifically, the breakdown scene in a matter of seconds. The ground units are preparing for the is: one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, one Corporal, six Officers, and possibility of one or more of the car’s inhabitants taking off into the one Retired Sgt. Police Pilot). The unit also employs one full-time woods, as they’ve chosen to pull over next to a densely-wooded area. mechanic and two part time mechanics. Again, we hover 800 feet above. Flying between 800 -1,000 feet
L-R: Pilot RET. SGT. Keith Harrison, TFO SPO. Mike Hankemeier, Chief TFO SPO. Thomas Lopatowski, TFO CPL. Wut Tantaksinanukij, LT. Kurt Rothert, Chief Pilot SGT. Ben Dranguet, Pilot SPO. Ryan Miller, TFO SPO. Steven Lindsay, Pilot/TFO SPO. Shane Kirk, Pilot SPO. Kurt Wernicke
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BY THE NUMBERS
Average Monthly Air One Stats*
66.5 Flight hours 58 Calls for service with Air One response
5 Callouts (when Air One is
not on duty and paged out)
20 Arrests made with
Air One assistance
41 Homeland defense flights
(checking city infrastructures)
* from 2011-2015
Photo by Brian Papke.
keeps us way below the approach path of commercial aircraft landing at ABIA. It is also a safe altitude for us in case there is an emergency and we have to autorotate (lose an engine), and it has proven to be an optimal altitude for observation. On this call, the ground units are able to apprehend the suspects without any additional help from the air, so we make our way over the city. There is nothing quite like cruising over our beautiful city in a helicopter—it almost feels like we were flying between the tallest buildings. The Capitol is lit up like a beacon and it’s stunning when the pilot circles it a few times and I end up getting some epic photos (see the one on page 21). We make our way north, to assist a call where a man suspected of burglarizing cars in a sprawling apartment complex couldn’t be located by the ground units. The spotlight isn’t the only equipment useful in a particular situation like this; also employed on this call is the FLIR (Forward looking infrared) imaging system— a thermographic camera that senses infrared radiation. This was, to me, the most interesting thing to observe. Watching the screen as we hover above the area, we can quickly spot the man, who is virtually invisible to the naked eye, with the thermal image of his body heat. We can see every move he makes, including what looks like prying open the door of a car (also interesting was to see recently-driven cars’ thermal images vs. cars that hadn’t been driven in awhile and the varying degrees). In this case, the Air One officers are able to quickly direct the officers on the ground to the suspect, and they swiftly arrest their man. Ever since I flew in Air One, I now see it constantly, flying over all different parts of our city. It’s really nice to know that Austin has a system that can truly save lives, as well as assist officers and make them safer. I was proud to have flown with and gotten to know this great team.
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Photo by Joe Fernandez.
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Q+A with Cpl. Wut Tantaksinanukij
Cpl. Tantaksinanukij (aka “Tank”) was instrumental in starting the air support unit.
When did the Air One program begin? We received delivery of (then-called) Eurocopter EC120b, now designated as Airbus Helicopter H120, on Dec 21, 2001. How was A1 developed in comparison to other major metropolitan areas? It’s been 14 years now since the APD Air Support Unit started. It’s been a slow process, but we expected that after the economic downturn in 2001. Plans were to acquire one additional helicopter each of the following budget years to bring our fleet up to three helicopters.
Photos by Niki Jones.
Can you tell us a little about the formation? In 2000, I attended the first APD West Point Leadership Academy. The college level leadership course was overseen by Professor RET. General Howard Prince and Dr. Michael Lauderdale, both of the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Lauderdale recently served on the City of Austin Public Safety Commission. My project was “The Liabilities of not having a Police Air Support Unit”. In years past, with this unit being a “high ticket” item, it was always put on the back burner when it came to budget time. Professors advised that individuals could select anybody to do our presentations before, so I chose the City Manager and a Council member. About a month after the presentation (for whatever reason, the date Aug 16, 2000, comes to mind), I was at a UT Longhorns women’s soccer game. I was trying to find a schedule to see if they were even playing that night. Lisa and I were at the game because our daughter, Erica, was cheering at it. I received a phone call from Sgt. Bill Horn (who has since passed away) asking who I was and if I did a presentation to City Hall. He asked who authorized me to do my presentation to City Hall. I explained to him that it was part of my project from a class that the Chief of Police had required me to attend, so I guess he authorized it. This is where it all started with the funding of a new police helicopter. What were the initial goals? I remember when I interviewed for the Austin Police Department in late 1995 or early 1996 (I started the police academy 3 June 1996, Graduated 20 Dec 1996). During the oral boards, I was asked what was my goal at APD. I told the board I wanted to fly police helicopters. They laughed. They replied by telling me that the department didn’t have any police helicopters. I boldly told the board, not yet. But when you hire me, we’ll get one in about 10 years. It turns out it was half that time.
Have the results been in alignment with the initial goals? They have been. Our initial goal was to be strictly an “observation platform” which we did for 12 years. After the 4 Sept 2011 fire storms in Bastrop, burning a little more than 34,000 acres, over 1600 homes and taking 2 lives. Being helpless with that and after flooding in the Austin and central Texas area, the Air Support Unit started the transition under the progressive leadership of Chief Art Acevedo. We started training for long line rescues and Bambi Bucket water drop operations. Thanks to our partners at STARFlight and over 2 years in the training process, we received our current Airbus Helicopters H-125 (formerly Eurocopter AS-350b3e). They continue to assist with our training needs related to these specialized operations. Have you had results you would never had imagined? Pretty amazing results really. Our crews have already had 3 long line rescues that saved lives. Have been called out on multiple brush fires to assist with Bambi Bucket operations (180 gallons) of water with each drop. Describe a typical shift. When crews arrive we preflight the aircraft for the evening. Check on the aircraft maintenance log, complete administrative paperwork. Finish up and update additional training required. We typically fly at least 2 patrol flights lasting 1.5 – 2hrs at random times. The rest of the time, we are on call to respond when patrol officers call us to assist. We have a designated radio channel that any officer can contact us directly without going through dispatch. This reduces time and also puts the officers in direct contact with the on duty crew. We patrol about 800-1000 feet at 70MPH, city wide. We assist other police agencies and the surrounding counties. What has the greatest benefit been? Doing something that we love doing so much, that you would do it for free. Getting paid for it is just a bonus. What would you like to see in the next 10 years? 2 new helicopter being added to our fleet. We currently have 3 helicopters. Two fully operational helicopters and one will be a refurbished Military helicopter (TH-67 – Bell Helicopter Jet Ranger) converted for police use. The city of our size needs 3 fully functional (H-125, B3 helicopters) for patrol, rescue and fire operations. Other goals would be to replace our Cessna 182 airplane and eventually have our own hanger space. We are currently leasing hanger and office space.
1. T he FLIR helps locate suspects based on thermographics and was extremely effective. 2. Most epic iPhone pic ever! 3. The APD Air Support Unit uniform. sureshotsmagazine.com | 23
Luxurious
Locked, Loaded
&
You don’t have to sacrifice style for function when it comes to concealed purse-carry Photos by Christopher Hayden | Styled by Rui Jiang | Model: Sisi
M
any times, I find myself in situations where on-the-body carry is not an option. Dresses, necessary for work or social functions, don’t allow me to carry in my usual inside-the-waistband manner. My backup option is purse-carry, and as a hyper-vigilant ex-New-Yorker, I’ve always been positive that I can successfully keep my bag under my control at all times. I am also, admittedly, obsessed with fashion; always have been, which has made it challenging in the past to find a bag that I could use for concealed carry. The bags on the market that were designed for this purpose just didn’t do it for me, aesthetically...
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until I was at SHOT Show this past year. I had been hearing the buzz from all our female friends in the firearms industry about Beau + Arrow. Everyone seemed to be talking about them, and once I looked them up online, I quickly realized why. For the first time I’d ever seen, a company was designing concealed-carry handbags that were evocative of the classic designs of Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent. Beau + Arrow has succesfully incorporated great design, luxury leather (made in Texas!), and smart functionality into each bag, and in my opinion, they’re worth every penny. —Niki Jones
Beau + Arrow’s Jane doctor satchel is a new twist on a vintage look, transforming into a crossbody purse with adjustable strap. It features a zippered pocket, two interior slide pockets and a keychain clip. The ambidextrous zippedbottom concealed-carry compartment is discreet and stylish. The interior holster, with trigger guard, is fitted to a sturdy velcro backing for easy angle adjustment, and is removable. The Jane can also function as a range bag—it has enough room for eye and ear pro plus ammo. $550, available at shopbeauarrow.com
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Beau + Arrow’s Lillian petite crossbody bag has just enough room for the necessities in life: wallet, keys, phone, lipstick... and of course, your gun. The convertible design features an adjustable leather strap to fit any height, or go hands-free by transforming from shoulder strap to crossbody. Its ambidextrous opening includes sturdy velcro backing for the removable holster with trigger guard. $405, available at shopbeauarrow.com
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Beau + Arrow’s Kate shoulder bag is perfect for any tablet. Its compartmentalized interior includes zippered pocket, two slide pockets and a keychain clip. The removable holster with trigger guard is fitted to sturdy velcro backing for easy angle adjustment. Beau + Arrow’s signature wide shoulder strap provides comfort while looking stylish. $495, available at shopbeauarrow.com
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Beau + Arrow’s Pearl hobo bag features a modern silhouette trimmed in gold hardware and accentuated with a gold chain for a look that transforms easily from office to night. Inside is a zippered pocket, two slide pockets and a keychain clip. The removable holster with trigger guard and ambidextrous access is fitted to sturdy velcro backing for easy angle adjustment. Pearl’s gold chain handle is wrapped in leather for soft carry. $495, available at shopbeauarrow.com
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SURE SHOTS ANNUAL
GIRLS’ DOVE HUNT
Photo by Rebecca Jenkins.
D E L A E V RE
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D
What happens when 10 Sure Shots head to South Texas, armed with a myriad guns, ammo, and high spirits? By Amanda Bull sureshotsmag.com |  31
E
We do some scouting at the tanks where we will be hunting later very fall, I pack my bird-hunting gear into my truck and head that day, and check out the wildlife around the ranch—so many down to Kyle to meet up with some pretty kick ass ladies. We pile rabbits and quail, roadrunners, armadillos, and the occasional deer. into cars and trucks for the long haul south—a convoy of Sure-ShotsThen we head up to one of my favorite places on the property to stickered vehicles. get a bird’s eye view of everything—“The Tower”. Driving up, we After a few hours of hilarious car talk (and the requisite potty sometimes can see the elusive mama bobcat and her babies, who have break), we finally reach the 4R Ranch in Cotulla, TX. It is truly my taken up residency there this year. We park and climb the stairs to happy place. The beautiful land stretches as far as the eye can see, the top level with anticipation of the fantastic view. It’s so relaxing in and includes an awesome lookout tower and the cutest wood cabin the sun and the cool breeze, with the ribbons flapping on the railings, covered in rustic star decorations. keeping birds away. Lots of chatting and game planning for our When we arrive, we’re greeted with big hugs from our amazing upcoming dove hunt goes on while soaking up hosts, Rebecca and Raymond Jenkins. We quickly unload our tons of bags and guns and It’s a flurry of camo and guns, the rays. Once we are thoroughly relaxed (or in my then we all load onto the Jenkins’ two-story mule ball caps and ammo. case, sunburned), we load back up and head and truck bed to take a “welcome back” ride back down to the cabin, where “Momma around the 300+ acres. Riding around feels like Jenkins” has lots of cold drinks and munchies for us to refuel before seeing an old friend you haven’t seen in a while but no matter how the hunt. Downtime on the ranch is more like playtime for us. much time has gone by, you just pick right back up where you left off.
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During our “rest”, everyone calls dibs on the bunks, couches, and cots on the porch, puts their bags away, and pulls out all the guns a little target practice and warm up. Its always fun to see an array of pistols and shotguns the girls have decided to bring! We always love some practice, and it’s so fun trying out each other’s new guns, so we shoot clays and steel for an hour or so. Man, does it get hot in south Texas—whew! After practicing, we head back inside to cool off. One thing that adorable little cabin has is ice-cold a/c! Some of my favorite times at the ranch are the “in-between times.” I love just hanging out and chatting with everyone, whether it’s in the comfy living room or out on the oversized porch with the shotgun shell lights. If we’re lucky, we’ll get a glimpse of Cassie and Peggy— two does that have become very friendly towards the family and visit often. We have a blast talking and hanging out while we wait for that perfect time to load up, head to the tanks, and start our hunt—so exciting It’s a flurry of camo and guns, ball caps and ammo. Ten girls. One bathroom. Almost ready… Aaaaaaaand, we’re off! Four to the little tank, six to the big tank, we team up in sets of two, set chairs up and wait. At the small tank, the birds seemed to mock us: flying close, only to say “psych!” and turn in the other direction. In the distance we hear the sounds of gun shots—LOTS of them! We keep thinking, “Either they’re really bad or they’re killin’ it over there!” Turns out, they are dominating over at the large tank. Those doves never had a chance! We wait it out at our small tank, thinking it might get better, but eventually decide to take their lead and try our luck at the large. We make our way over, and the girls there were more than happy to call it a night and let us go for the rest of the birds. We get a few, enough to call the hunt a success (yet nothing compared to the numbers they bagged!), and then it is dark. Upon arriving back at the cabin, we unload our chairs, guns, and coolers, and happily take one of Momma Jenkins’ fantastic frozen margaritas that are always waiting for us upon our return. Our special Sure Shots tradition is to float some tequila-soaked Gummi Bears in our drinks (coined “GummiBearRitas), just for fun and an extra kick. Happy as clams, we begin cleaning the birds and prepping for dinner. Some of us are better than others at cleaning the fresh kills... and some of us still use the technique Cristina taught us: “Not a bird.
14-year-old Abbi hunts for the first time (and loves it).
Not a bird.” *riiiiiip*. Then the grill is fired up and it’s finally time for our famous post-hunt! After eating a couple, or ten, we’re having a blast and also enjoying sausage, chicken, rice, and salad—Momma Jenkins sure takes care of us! We don’t let ourselves get tired though, because the night’s not over yet! We still have to pull our chairs up around the fire pit and roast s’mores as we pass the night vision optics around to see what we can see out there in the night. Then, bedtime— JUST KIDDING; THERE’S MORE, because we’re on vacation and we can do what we want! It’s finally time for everyone’s favorite part of the trip: the infamous Night
4 Sure Shots reveal their favorite part of the Annual Girls’ Dove Hunt
Laina
“Sleeping on the porch and waking up to a beautiful sunrise with the deer!”
Becca
“Midnight spotlighting ride on the mule!”
Nicole
“The occasional rattlesnake dissection!”
Ruthie
“Witnessing the excitement of someone getting her first bird...and ragging on each other each time we miss!” sureshotsmagazine.com | 33
Amanda sets her sights on a bird.
which sleeps eight comfortably if the girls double up. Others love to sleep Ride, which usually happens around midnight: We all pile on the mule on the cots on the porch, under the stars, and wake up with the sunrise. (Yes, all 10 of us), and cruise the property again. You wouldn’t think it We wake to the smell of cinnamon rolls, breakfast pigs in a blanket, would be fun after the many times we had already driven around the and Laina’s famous apple crisp. Heaven! We also get to enjoy the famous land that day, but it really is a thrill. In the dark it’s so different—the “secret mimosas”. Spoken of only in hushed tones, these forbidden sounds, the shadows, the animals.... and this is when a whole new bonus delights are sipped with our yummy breakfast around the firepit, still hunt starts… a snake hunt! The last few years have been perfect for us smoldering from the night before. midnight snake huntresses, and over the years a Once we are thoroughly stuffed and packed couple of them have even been made into stylish “Either they’re really bad or up, it’s time for our farewell hugs. This is accessories (we’re fancy like that!). they’re killin’ it over there!” definitely not the favorite time of the trip, This time, when no snakes are to be found, we but real life beckons. We take one last look instead drive through “sneakies” which are the little around, give sad goodbyes to Momma and Poppa Jenkins, and head shortcuts from trail to trail, trying not to run our open-sided mule into back out through the gates. It’s always a little sad watching the ranch any cacti. Spiderwebs, branches, and fellow sure shots with malicious get smaller and smaller in the rear view. The group of girls is a little intentions are some of the hazards we have found while on the night different every year, but we have just as much fun as the year before rides... but what happens on the night rides, stays on the night rides! because of our amazing hosts Raymond and Rebecca Jenkins and their When the night winds down, we head back to the cabin and crawl into gorgeous 4R Ranch! our beds. I’m partial to the bunk beds in the frozen Tundra of the bedroom, sureshotsmagazine.com | 35
URBANLEGEND Sure Shot Becca is not only the leader of San Antonio Sure Shots; she’s also a competitive shooter, pistol instructor, one of the coaches of Mini Sure Shots, and Sure Shots Magazine’s very own Content Lead. A research scientist by day, Becca spends weekends chasing any kind of adventure, or training hard in self-defense. She became quite a legend when she walked down the center of Congress Avenue before dawn to get our amazing cover shot—hence, the title of our Feature Pictorial! In the photos, Becca carries a Tavor SAR-IDF IDF16 courtesy of Guns Warehouse, Cedar Park, TX, as well as a Sig P220 Dark Elite with Osprey Silencer, courtesy of BSG Security Services, Austin, TX. About the car: The 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Convertible features a 6.2L V8 engine with 7-speed Automated Manual transmission. It was generously provided by Mercedes-Benz of Austin, mercedesbenzofaustin.com. Photos by Dustin Meyer Photography.
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FEATURE PICTORIAL
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E ON
T
CH T A OW
CHLOE TARANGO SAN ANTONIO SURE SHOTS
Chloe and her dad first visited a San Antonio Sure Shots practice in June of this year and she was instantly hooked! Since becoming a Mini Sure Shot, Chloe has shown improvement at every practice session. She has become a great bench shooter with her Sig Sauer 522, and just last month her dad bought her a Ruger Mark III Competition Series .22 pistol. Chloe was eager to train with her new pistol and has already begun to learn some stand-and-shoot techniques with her instructor, San Antonio Sure Shots leader Becca Thompson. Chloe's goals are to begin competing with her new pistol in Steel Challenge matches and eventually work her way up to participating in 3-Gun competitions.
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Photos by Marta Alonzo.
Ten year old Chloe has a busier schedule than many adults; her weeks consist of school, basketball, orchestra and shooting practice! Even with such a full plate, she consistently excels in each of her extracurricular activities. Chloe comes from a family of hunters and gun collectors and began shooting at the age of eight. She has always enjoyed outdoor activities like fishing, camping, and trips to the beach. Most of all, Chloe enjoys watching her family hunt and became interested in shooting while going out on game hunts with her dad. It didn't take long for him to buy Chloe first rifle, hoping she would find fun in shooting targets, and then eventually take an interest in hunting game on her own.
WOMEN in the INDUSTRY
Clover Lawson of Lawson and Palmer
One thing about Clover Lawson—she’s always full of ideas! This gal makes things happen, and always with an upbeat attitude that assures you that anything is possible. —Niki Jones Sure Shots Magazine: Please tell us a little about your company, Lawson & Palmer. In a nutshell, we are a custom solutions provider for sales and marketing, including social media. We also offer individual management and business consulting for athletes and talent in the competitive shooting market. SSM: How long has Lawson & Palmer been in business? Since May 2015. SSM: Who are some of your clients? Our first client was Anette Wachter, champion long-distance shooter and avid 3-gunner. I did a happy dance when Jansen Jones, Rob Romero and Kalani Laker of Team Geissele believed in our purpose. We have added XTech Tactical, Armadynamics, and Molecular Advantage to the lineup of manufacturers and have three exciting product development projects underway with newcomer [NERD] Next Evolution Research and Design many more to follow.
Shooting photo by Ramona Dear. Headshot courtesy of Clover Lawson.
SSM: Have you always been involved in the shooting/tactical/ firearms community? I have only been involved in the community with a passion since 2009. The first time I ever picked up a gun and fired it was in 1989. I received instruction from my husband, who was a Navy SEAL, and had just graduated from the Mid-South Institute of Self Defense Shooting. SSM: Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. I have owned several businesses, and have done a variety of things to acquire skills in areas I was told I was fairly good at. The only thing I am REALLY good at is aiming and pulling the trigger, but I put no stake in that; it was just something fun to do. I was the Ombudsman at the UNIT in the Republic of Panama while stationed there and was able to gain a broad base of firearms knowledge. This allowed me to do a lot of shooting before women were regarded in the industry as a force to be reckoned with. In 2012 I joined the Froglube organization as a contractor and worked very hard as part of the team to make Froglube a household name. I was then recruited to Lantac-USA, (again as a contractor), where I was one of a three-person team that took a newly-founded U.S .company from virtual obscurity to a multi-million dollar company in a little over 2 years. In May of 2015, I decided to strike out on my own venture, parted ways with Froglube and Lantac to start L&P, and am ready and poised to do the same thing for several fantastic new companies. So far everything has been amazing and I haven’t looked back!
SSM: Have there been any lessons your work life has taught you? I have learned if you work really hard and are humble with the correct intentions, amazing things will happen. Customer service is the most important aspect to any company, and in the end, it will make or break you. Having absolute confidence in your goals is also necessary. SSM: What is your primary weapon and why? Oh, that is a hard question, too… I like so many for different reasons, so it is almost like choosing between children. The top of my list today is my H&K45 Tactical (I call it my victory gun, and it is the weapon of choice in my home for protection). SSM: What are some important lessons you have learned while working in the industry? Hard work pays off, and as in any relationships, the saying “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” holds so very true in business. What may seem like a negative can actually be a positive with the correct attitude and drive. SSM: What is the best shooting advice you have been given that you feel might be important to share with our readers? “Practice until your gross motor skills convert to fine motor skills and the actions are like breathing.” You shouldn’t have to think about reloading, just realize you did. (Credit to Mr. Rodney May) SSM: Where do you see Lawson & Palmer in five years? L&P is comprised of an excellent team of six (and growing) highly skilled individuals led by two outside-the-box thinkers with strong leadership skills. We will be continuing to offer a unique proprietary process that integrates sponsorship and connects athletes in all disciplines with companies and the products they market in a way that allows measurable ROI. In five years, we expect to be leading in this market, which we have named “Dynamic Marketing.” SSM: And for your final question… If you could be any character in a movie, who would it be, and why? I adore “M” from the Bond films. She makes calm, professional, wise choices and is a total bad ass in her own right… She may not always know the answers, but she knows where to get them, and as she stated in the latest movie: “I know I can’t do this job forever, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to leave the department in worse shape than I found it.” That is how I feel about the industry, I will leave it better than I found it.
SSM: What made you decide to start Lawson & Palmer? I wanted to start a business based on the tagline “Sponsor-ConnectRepresent” and build a business model around a proprietary “Code of Conduct” agreement for all our athletes to sign. I wanted to protect client companies from potential bad PR incidents, and inserting quantifiable professional expectations to competition shooting. This “Code of Conduct” has been well-received by our sponsor companies, as it also stipulates loyalty to existing sponsors, and strict compliance to contract terms. SSM: What is the best part of your job? I get to be around some of the best salt-of-the-earth people with the biggest hearts and pure love of the shooting sports, hunting and 2A in this industry. L&P affords me to work on projects that no one will ever know about that actually aid in saving lives in combat zones and on the street. That makes every day I wake up worth it. sureshotsmagazine.com | 43
THE OFFICIAL RANGE OF THE SURE SHOTS
MY FIRST TIME
Photo courtesy of Austin Sure Shots.
By birgit warner
I am not your typical gun owner—heck, the first time I even held a gun was at the tender age of 49! After raising three children in a gun-free, “stronger gun-control is needed” environment, and being raised in gun-free Germany (plus being very liberal my whole life), you can imagine the reaction of my husband and our friends when I proclaimed one evening around the campfire that I wanted to go shoot a gun. Reactions included: “This must be just another menopause side effect” and “I would have never thought you would, considering how left you are!” I sat and listened to the many objections my friends and family were throwing at me, taking it all in. But I was determined. One Monday afternoon I drove my car down the road to Red’s Indoor Range. It was a place I had been driving by twice a day for the last 15 years, and I always wanted to go in. This day, I was trembling inside. My hands were cold as ice and sweaty. Somehow I expected a group of “Hell’s Angels” inside, chasing me out with a “get the heck out of here grandma” kind of attitude. But to my surprise, nobody even paid me any attention. They were very friendly, and even encouraging, and there was a girl behind the counter—wow! The employees gave me a .22 caliber gun, explained how the gun works, and sent me out to the range. I was carrying the gun like a basket full of eggs, silently waiting for it to explode in my hand or going off on its own, shooting somebody. I followed all of the instructions to the letter (I had even had the guy behind the counter give me the instructions twice). And then I did it—I shot my first 10 rounds. And guess what? I hit the target and even the bull’s eye! I was so proud of myself, I practically flew back to the counter on cloud nine. I did it, I shot my first gun! Then, the friendly woman behind the counter told me about a group of women that practiced there every other Wednesday. They were called the Sure Shots, and she advised me to look them up on Facebook. In the meantime, a friend from the campfire and I had enrolled in a Basic Gun class in South Austin. We took the class, and afterwards my friend decided that she did not like to shoot. So I was all alone again. I knew I wanted to keep on shooting, but all alone?! So I gave it a try. I found the Sure Shots on Facebook, and a lady named Niki invited me to attend next practice. So on Wednesday, I went back to Red’s to meet the Sure Shots for the first time. Wow, what a group! No, they were not the extreme-right; Second- Amendment-advocating “tough girls” I had pictured in my mind. Instead I found a bunch of nice looking, professional ladies, which were just as open minded as I was, and I was happy to find that they did not bring politics into their group at all. It was a pleasure. These ladies (and a few gentlemen) taught me about gun safety and self-defense. They were mothers, grandmothers, daughters, teachers, realtors… some were even ex-military, and from every walk of life you can imagine. And that’s how I became a Sure Shot. A month later, I bought my first gun, a Springfield XDM, and two months later I got my CHL license. I can’t wait for Wednesday evenings to come, when I get to go to Red’s to see all the smiling faces, tell jokes and talk about life. But the best part is all the classes and instructions I have attended over this past year. The Sure Shots have made such a difference in my life. Now a year later, I am trying to add a rifle to my collection, and the Sure Shots are again there to help me select which rifle is best suited for me, just like they did with my first gun. After seeing me return from my first evening at Sure Shots practice full of excitement and sharing what we learned, my husband is coming around too, and after meeting the gang a couple of times, he really likes them. He is even starting to brag about his “gun-toting” wife at the campfire. sureshotsmagazine.com | 45
Rustic
Rosemary
Venison
This autumn-inspired dish is heavy on flavor, yet feels light and fresh. by Laina Stevens
Ingredients: (Serves 2)
Directions:
2 venison tenderloins (4 to 6 oz each)
On stove top, heat a cast iron skillet on high until white hot.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
1/2 C. sliced white or cremini mushrooms
Tie the tenderloins with kitchen twine and tuck in a sprig of rosemary on each. Rub the tenderloins with a tablespoon of vegetable oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the tenderloins in the cast iron skillet.
8 cherry tomatoes
Sear each side of the tenderloin for several minutes, until a dark caramelized crust has formed.
3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Remove tenderloins from skillet and set aside on a plate.
2 to 3 medium yellow potatoes, skin on, cut into small wedges
2 tbsp. of vegetable oil, divided 1 to 2 tbsp. of butter Salt & pepper, to taste
Add the other tablespoon of oil and 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter to the hot skillet and place the potatoes in the pan. Let the potatoes sautĂŠ for several minutes and then add the mushrooms and the other sprig of rosemary. Give the mushrooms and potatoes a quick stir, add the tenderloins back to the skillet and then place the skillet in the oven to finish cooking. Once the tenderloin has reached the doneness that is desired (i.e. rare/medium rare/well done), remove the skillet from the oven and drop the cherry tomatoes in the pan. The hot pan will immediately wilt the cherry tomatoes but still allow them to hold their shape. Enjoy with a bold beer, like Guns & Oil Lager.
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Photo by Niki Jones.
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SADDLEBACK LEATHER PISTOL WRAP Of all the wonderfully-designed Saddleback pieces, this one is, in my opinion, the edgiest. Putting your gun in the wrap and taking it to the range is so easy; opening it up and laying it flat on the range table while shooting is fantastic—the removable sheepskin liner keeps your gun from getting scratched, and it also prevents moisture from getting to your gun. This wrap is the perfect gift for those who have a collectible or special gun. It is available in two sizes: Small ($209) and Medium ($239). So, for what do I use my wrap? Sometimes when I am going on long trips in the car I put my carry gun (Sig P938) in the wrap and stash it, top flap unbuckled but closed, between the driver’s seat and the console, grip always oriented the same way, for easy and consistent access should I need it. It’s also nice to be able to carry a gun in just the wrap in public if you need to, as it isn’t the usual obvious gun sleeve, and it just looks like a gorgeous leather bag. The rest of the time, it is displayed upright, on its very own shelf on a beautiful, similarly-wornin antique Danner bookcase, because it is truly a very cool piece of art. - Niki Jones
Photos courtesy of Saddleback Leather.
Hi, my name is Niki and I am a Saddleback addict. I’m not afraid to admit that my Remington Model 1100 spends each night in a fancier bed than I do—my shotgun is swaddled in sheepskin, toasty and protected in the Saddleback Gun Sleeve (full review in Issue 10). Earlier this year, Saddleback followed up their success with the Gun Sleeve with a pistol wrap so beautiful and well-made, I just had to get one immediately. Like all Saddleback products, the thick leather is like velvet— so smooth you can not stop rubbing it, and available in four impossible-to-choose-from colors: Tobacco (which is what I went with for this one, as pictured in the photo on the opposite page); Dark Coffee Brown, Chestnut (which is what I’d chosen for my Gun Sleeve, Large Tote and Waterbag), and Black (which is what my Dry Bag is). The more you handle your Saddleback pieces, the better-looking they get. Oils and scratches only add to the character of the leather, and these pieces are near-impossible to destroy (hence Saddleback’s 100-year warranty and their slogan “They’ll fight over it when you’re dead.” The design of the Pistol Wrap is really interesting. Cut from one piece of leather, it folds in on itself and closes with buckles in two spots. Easy and functional, I found the assymetrical design and placement of the buckles to be really well thought out.
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Finding well-fitting shooting pants is a challenge for me, as I’m sure it is with many women. My former pair of “tactical” pants was purchased on sale at Kohl’s for $8. Really, they were just cargo pants with lots of pockets. I had to layer tights underneath them during really cold weather because of the thin fabric. They were baggy and, quite frankly, unflattering. After many competitions and training events, and over a year of wear, they eventually began to dissolve into a pile of strings and loose fabric, riddled with holes, burns and scuff marks. As much use as I ended up getting for my $8 purchase, I still felt it was time to seek out a pair of true tactical pants. My adventure began at Bass Pro Shops, where I tried on the women’s 5.11 tactical pants. The waist was too high and the legs were too short. It was as if they had taken the men’s pants and simply taken an inch or two off the waist and length! I tried on some Columbia pants as well, but they didn’t have enough pockets and were too lightweight. Next I went to Academy, Cabela’s, and REI… with no luck at all. I went home empty-handed and frustrated. One day, while browsing the web, I stumbled upon an advertisement for the Under Armour Women’s Tactical Pants. At first, I couldn’t help but scoff at the size 00 model in the picture, but I do love the Under Armour brand, so I decided to order a pair through Amazon, where I could return them if necessary. At $80, the price was 10 times higher than my previous pair, but the UA brand is known for high quality clothing, so I clicked the Buy Now button and hoped for the best. When they arrived, I eagerly rushed into the closet to try them on. I had been worried that I ordered a size too small, however, these pants feature a very unique waistband that stretches a couple of inches right in front. I feel like I could’ve even ordered a size down and been okay, although the size I bought fit perfectly. It was a relief knowing I could wear them even on ‘fat’ days and be perfectly comfortable. I am an average size, average build woman, and yet all of the pants I’d tried up to that point had come up too high on the waist, making the bottom of the pants come up too high. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s pants that are
too short. The UA pants fit the bill in this department because they are designed to sit a bit lower on the hips. Even though these were the best fitting pants in terms of length I’ve found, I could still use another ½” to 1” in length to be perfectly satisfied. When I turned around in the mirror, I must say I was impressed with the way they fit my backside. They weren’t saggy and shapeless like my previous pair and they didn’t flatten me out the way the 5.11 pants did. As for color, I chose the OD green, but they also offer the pants in coyote brown, khaki beige, and black. The green looked great in my bathroom lighting, but were much, much greener when I stepped into the sunlight. If I had to do it all over again, I guess I would try out the coyote brown, although overall I am happy with the green. Once I had determined I was happy with the fit of the pants, I was off to the range to see how they performed. Liking your pants in a normal environment is one thing, but once you add a belt, a rig, gun, mags, etc., all that can change in a flash. Luckily, my 5.11 belt fit through the loopholes just fine, and even under the full weight of my competition rig, the pants neither sagged nor rode up. Because the pants sit a little lower on the hips, I had to re-adjust my belt to be a little wider which almost took me up a belt size. Once I’m on the range, my primary concern is comfort. The UA pants are similar to the 5.11 in the weight of the fabric. I first wore them on a fall day of about 85 degrees. Though I did get a little warm, the UA material breathed well enough to keep me from sweating. Even so, I’d say these are definitely pants better suited for cooler temperatures. This is a non-issue for me since I switch to shorts in the summertime. One thing I noticed right away while at the range was the mindboggling number of pockets! There are big pockets, little pockets, and pockets specifically made for magazines and shooting supplies. I have now owned these pants for over a year, and to this day, I will randomly find a pocket I never knew was there. The only pockets that are missing are the two on the knees to hold kneepads. I really like this feature on the 5.11 pants, so I was mildly disappointed by this omission. The durability factor takes awhile to adequately assess. Having owned these pants for over a year, I can say with confidence that these are the most durable pair of pants I own. They have seen me through countless shooting activities with nary a hole or scuff to be found. I’ve shot 3-Gun competitions, taken defensive classes, gone prone, crawled through vehicles, and even ran in a zombie obstacle run and gun where I emerged covered in mud and bruises, yet the pants remained in flawless condition. I have received endless compliments from both women and men alike (I assume they meant to say my butt looks good, but I can’t say for sure). I am so happy with these pants that the other day I had the urge to buy some in coyote brown and had to stop myself! After all, I already have a pair that will likely last 10 years if I take care of them. Finally, I’ve found a pair of women’s tactical pants that fit comfortably, move with me perfectly, are tough as nails, and have plenty of storage room. If you’re in the same boat as I was and are struggling to find some decent tactical pants, give the UA pants a try. My bet is that you won’t regret it! - Becca Thompson
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Photos courtesy of Under Armour.
UNDER ARMOUR Women’s UA Tactical Patrol Pant
Safariland Shooter’s Range Bag Death Dealer Tactical Range Bag even sunblock and snacks. Beware—if you load it up with all that stuff, it’s going to be really heavy! Safariland makes a smaller version of this bag called the Shooter’s Premium Range Bag, which doesn’t have the removable carrier, but has good pocket space and plenty of loops. I think one of the reasons the Safariland bag is successful is because of its shape, and there are lots of other bags on the market that are similar. The Death Dealer Tactical Range Bag came out a few years ago, it is really similar in size and shape to the Safariland Shooter’s Range Bag. It doesn’t have the removable carrier, but has lots of pockets, loops and space for all the same things. The pink and black model is pretty cute with its trim, zippers and handles. I like this bag for just going to the range for practice, but unfortunately it hasn’t really held up to heavy range days or competition abuse. When it is heavily loaded with gear, guns and ammo it loses its shape, which makes keeping everything organized somewhat difficult. I’ve also had trouble with the zippers. Death Dealer has a new model of this bag on the market but I haven’t tried it out yet, but I’m hopeful they’ve worked out the kinks. Safariland Shooter’s Range Bag, $78, available at safariland.com Death Dealer Tactical Range Bag, $50, available at jadeshooting.com - Carrin Welch
Photos by Carrin Welch.
After my very first time at Sure Shots practice I was “all in.” I fell in love with shooting pistols and almost immediately started shopping for guns and gear. Years later, I have a closet (yes a whole closet) full of a variety of holsters, safety glasses, ear plugs, ear muffs, cleaning supplies, belts, and bags… so many bags. Once I had my own guns to haul to practice, plus all the gear that it requires, I was regularly looking for the perfect bag—that perfect range bag that was fully functional, not too big, not too small, not too heavy, and if I got really lucky would be cute, too. While I have lots of bags that I love, I still haven’t found that bag. But, I have bought and borrowed enough bags to have a good idea of what to look for, and to know that there is no one perfect bag. Your needs will vary depending on the day, the class, the competition. Over time, I have one style of bag that I come back to most often: The Safariland Shooter’s Range Bag. You see them everywhere, and there is a reason: It is constructed very well, and it very sturdy. I have stacked other gear on top of it, and it never loses its shape. It has adjustable dividers and loops for magazines, lots of big pockets, a removable carrier that means you basically have two bags, and has two divided sections so you can store four pistols, each separated by padding. It has room not only for multiple guns, but also extra boxes of ammo, lots of magazines, ear & eye pro, tools, batteries, cleaning supplies, and
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