Does anyone have any input on who puts out the best video training series for combat handgun? I am looking for lots of good training as opposed to videos that just show a bunch of guys putting alot of lead downrange.
The Magpul DVD is great because they break down each drill in slow motion at the end of the DVD’s so you can refer to them as a reference instead of having to pause and replay.
There is no substitute for real training.
That said I found the Magpul Dynamics “Art of the tactical handgun” video to be very good.
Kelly McCann’s Combative Handgun and Close Range Gunfighting by Gabe Suarez are excellent. Fighting Pistol from Tactical Response is one of the best training videos I’ve ever seen. The Magpul DVD’s are a best buy. The DVD’s from Thunder Ranch are very good also.
Just finished watching the last bit of Magpul Dynamics Art of the tactical handgun, and I must echo the comments here; VERY well done in my opinion. As is the case with their two previous DVD’s for the Carbine.
+1 for Kelly McCann. I’m a little bias as he was my Plt. Commander as a young Devil Dog.
None that I have seen. The old Wilson/Hackathorn ones were good, but are a bit dated now.
Fighting Pistol from Tactical Response is one of the best training videos I’ve ever seen.
I thought the DVDs were bad even when I was training with TR. No real substance and they seem to jump around with no real flow. The Fighting Rifke DVDs were worse though.
Kelly McCann’s original “Jim Grover” handgun series:
http://www.paladin-press.com/product/Jim_Grover_Defensive_Shooting_Series/DVDs
Kelly McCann’s Crucible series (also includes combatives, knife, etc):
http://www.paladin-press.com/product/Inside_The_Crucible_Set/DVDs
Kellt McCann’s Close Range gun work:
http://www.paladin-press.com/product/Combative_Pistol/Handguns
Col Jeff Cooper’s Series:
http://www.paladin-press.com/product/94/Handguns
South Narc’s Extreme Close Range gun work:
http://www.shivworks.com/products.asp
I have found all of these to be an excellent value. Some are a bit dated, but have great information in them. I highly recommend any of them in no particular order.
Kelly McCann’s work is exceptional. I have all of his material. The Magpul DVD’s are another favorite.
I have to agree, TR’s Fighting Pistol DVD has little shooting content and worth about 1/3rd the price they are asking, IMO.
Another vote for Magpul, Ive watched the set 4 times already…excellent DVD’s
this months dillon blue press has an article on holding the auto pistol with a “side by side” thumb grip opposed to a “thumb over” grip. excuse the terminology as i don’t have the article at hand. anyways…do any of the aforementioned videos demonstrate this technique?
I just read that article, too. The author explains the fundamentals of the “straight thumbs” grip, a grip I’ve seen more commonly referred to as a “thumbs-forward” or “combat grip”. I can’t speak for the videos, but the technique is definitely the grip du jour. All the cool kids are using it.
Kelly McCann advocated the “side by side” grip—if I am pictureing what you describe correctly—many years ago in his Defensive Shooting Series from Paladin Press.
Close Range Gunfighting by Gabe Suarez.
I’m watching the Magpul series now…really good so far. I like the Thunder Ranch series too even though its not very detailed. The Suarez series is pretty basic and did nothing for me.
Another vote for Magpul Dynamics as well.
I just tried to watch the Thunder Ranch DVD’s again and had to turn them off.
Something about watching Clint Smith shoot from weaver, reload at arms length (racking the slide instead of using the slide stop/ release), and promoting a ready position at full extension that just makes me throw up in my mouth a little.
While I didn’t really dig the MagPul rifle DVD’s, their handgun DVD’s might be the best exposure to up to date techniques worth learning.
I found Plaxco’s book, John Shaw’s DVD, and Sanford’s book to be helpful while I was still learning pistols.
http://www.amazon.com/Shooting-Within-Guide-Maximum-Performance/dp/0962692514
http://www.amazon.com/Combat-Pistol-John-Shaw/dp/B0000A5BW3
http://www.amazon.com/Surgical-Speed-Shooting-High-Speed-Marksmanship/dp/1581601433/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268966756&sr=8-1
(ignore the yahoo on the front cover…there is actually some good info within the pages)