Course Description:

The Tactical Pistol 2 (201) is a 2-day intermediate pistol course designed to equip the modern gunfighter with shooting skills necessary for close range defensive settings. In this intermediate pistol course, students learn the essential pistol skills from 0 to 25 yards. Close range shooting will focus on speed, while shooting at distance will focus on accuracy. Students are constantly exposed to challenging drills designed to shoot under pressure to evaluate knowledge and application. Subjects covered include combat marksmanship, holster drawstroke, gun handling and multiple threats. A major class objective is a rapid drawstroke to deliver accurate fire at close ranges, measured against time and accuracy standards. Additional subjects include shooter diagnostics, movement, strong hand only and ammunition management.

Gear & Equipment:

• Duty pistol, 9mm (red dot sight optional*)
• 1,000 rounds of training ammunition (500 rounds minimum)
• 5 x pistol magazines (8 magazines for single stacks)
• 5 x inert training rounds
• Range attire: long pants, comfortable shirt, athletic shoes and ball cap
• Basic loadout: rigid belt, on the waistband (OWB) holster, magazine pouches and dump pouch (optional)
• Handheld flashlight
• Multi-tool device
• Wrap around ballistic eye protection
• Hearing protection
• Water, snacks, sunscreen and appropriate inclement weather clothing
• Firearms cleaning kit and quality lubrication
• Notebook and pencil
• Open mind

*Students are welcome to use RDS equipped pistols, but must ensure they are properly zeroed. Recommended zero distance is 25 yards for optimal performance, but regardless students must know their impacts at ranges from 0-25 yards. 

Course Prerequisite:

Basic Pistol 1 or similar. The below drills are suggested as minimum skill requirements to meet the prerequisites. All drills are shot drawing from the holster. The recommended target is the TRICON TCT-MK4 available from Action Target or TRICON B8 target.

• Pistol Standard, Golf; at the 5 yard line, draw and fire 5 rounds in 5 seconds for 5 repetitions. Must be below par for each repetition and score 175/250 or higher.
• Pistol Standard, Bravo; at the 10 yard line, draw and fire 10 rounds (9 reload 1) in 15 seconds. Must be below par and score 70/100 or higher.
• Pistol Standard, India; at the 25 yard line draw and fire 5 rounds in 10 seconds for 2 repetitions. Must be below par for each repetition and score 70/100 points or higher combined.

Registration fee does not include any associated range fees.

Want to see other classes coming up this year? Check out the Class Schedule.

The post Tactical Pistol 2 appeared first on Trident Concepts.

Course Description:

The Tactical Carry (202) is an intermediate 2-day class on the fundamentals of everyday carry. In this intermediate carry class, students learn the essential skills for concealing and drawing a pistol under a variety of environmental and logistical considerations. Contact range shooting will focus on quickly defeating the cover garment for fast shots on target while extended range shooting will focus on accuracy under pressure. Subjects include various concealed carry methods, drawstroke techniques, hand position, defeat methodology, supporting equipment and defensive mindset. A major objective is the ability to defeat any cover garment then deliver quick and effective shots to stop an deadly force threat. Supporting objectives include movement, choosing cover garments, verbal commands, ammunition management and strong hand only.

Gear & Equipment:

• Defensive pistol, 9mm recommended
• 1,000 rounds of practice ammunition
• 25 rounds of defense ammunition
• 5 x pistol magazines minimum (8 for single stacks)
• 5 x inert training rounds
• Training uniform required:
  • Polo or T-shirt
  • Button-down shirt
  • Jacket or coat
  • Sweater or hoodie
• Concealed carry gear
  • Sturdy belt
  • Inside the Waistband (IWB) holster
  • Outside the Waistband (OWB) holster
  • Single and or double magazine pouch
• Handheld flashlight with pocket clip
• Clear/tinted ballistic wrap around eye protection
• Hearing protection
• Cleaning kit and lubrication
• Notebook and pencil
• Water and snacks
• Open mind

Course Prerequisites:

Registration fee does not include any associated range fees.

The post Tactical Carry 2 appeared first on Trident Concepts.

An Origin Story

Maybe not the exact same effect, but most would be really surprised to learn how effective this method is when done correctly. Where did the sling tension method or sling method as I was taught come from in the first place. Those of us who cut our teeth on assaults with a sub-machine gun at some point had to learn this method to work with gas masks or chem/bio suits. Believe me it was not as sexy as it sounds, but it was a mission requirement we had to perfect. The best way to explain how it works is when the sling is properly positioned, adjusted and the platform is setup correctly you push against the sling to create tension or a simulated stock. This tension helps stabilize the firearm.

Learning About Slings

Let’s talk about properly positioning the sling. You can run a two point or one point sling configuration. I tend prefer the two point, but both work well. If you run a sling that can transition between the two its the best of both worlds. I used the Blue Force Gear 221 sling; which gives me this option to much success. In class, I would transition from running a two point, to a one point simply by moving the QD swivel. To further explain a properly positioned sling we talk about the mounting location. If you run a one point, you can either attach it to the inboard or the outboard side. Some AR Pistol configurations have an end plate with a QD attachment that further simplifies your setup. However, if you are running the folding or collapsible type braces this is not an option.

The Secret

Making sure the sling is properly adjusted is the secret. You want there to be just enough tension. You are looking for almost full extension, about 80-90% full extension to be exact. This will allow you to apply force into the sling. It is this force that helps stabilize and reduce recoil while shooting. This works best with pistol caliber AR pistols, but I’ve had much success with rifle calibers. In classes I’ve run the Sig Rattler chambered in 300 Blackout and love the versatility of this little blaster. To make this method work even better, use the inside of your sling to create an improvised cheek weld. This creates a semi-third point of contact. The bad news is it can reduce your options when you try to achieve a shoulder mount. There were plenty of times I would run and gun with the sling tension method, but slow down for a long shot or a high percentage shot using the stock. So for me, I would run with my stock extended. If you get the sling just right for sling tension, it might mean the setup or position of the sling can interfere or get in the way of obtaining a good and reliable shoulder mount.

A Little Preparation

There is not a lot you have to do to your firearm platform. Meaning, if you running a folding brace, it is ideal to keep the brace folded so it is not in your way. The extended brace can sometimes get in the way of seeing your sights quickly. Modern red dot sights have somewhat negated this issue, but still something to consider. Running with no brace makes it pretty clean and easier to run the sling tension method in my opinion.  Something else to consider is depending on the barrel length a concern might be your weak hand position. Hand stops that prevent your hand from moving too far forward will keep your hand away from the hot gases near the muzzle. It also allows you to place a little bit more forward isometric tension into the sling.

How Does It Perform

When you have everything setup for optimal performance using this method you will find speed and accuracy to be pretty impressive. If you have to make a snap shot inside 15 yards it is wicked fast. Back in the day it was all iron sights, but using a red dot sight gives you the ability to step back with more accuracy.  Stepping back to 25, 35 and 50 yards produces more than acceptable accuracy. You are not going to be shooting a sub-MOA group, but you can easily shoot an 8 inch group at 50 yards; which is 4MOA and plenty accurate for most defensive gun uses.

The bottom line is all is not lost if you cannot use the brace. Experiment with this sling tension method and you will find it very capable.

The post Sling Tension Method appeared first on Trident Concepts.

Defining a Bag Gun

There are three main characteristics that define a bag gun. The first is size, then capacity and finally accuracy. You can certainly have something that fits in a “bag”. If the bag is huge and a little too obvious then it kind of defeats the purpose of being discreet. Generally, I’m looking for a capacity greater than my primary carry pistol. If I’m going to go to my bag gun things have gone very wrong, but having a greater magazine capacity may help bring balance to the equation. Accuracy is where things get a little complicated. I want something inherently more accurate so I can not only deliver more precise rounds on target, but extend the range to target or maximize distance to my advantage.

The Legalities

The difference between a short barrel rifled (SBR) and an AR Pistol really boil down to paperwork. Both have advantages and disadvantages. If you are running the folding stock, it is implied you have a legally purchased SBR. Once you have your tax stamp from the government you are pretty much good to go. However, you are limited in where you can travel within the US along with additional complications should you want to leave your home state or residence. The AR Pistol does not require the governments permission to purchase or own, which is nice. However, with rulings being interpreted and reinterpreted you may find yourself in a pickle should they be deem “illegal”. Of course, you can always register it with the government as an SBR, but I’m admittingly against this option. I already filled out enough forms to purchase so I do not feel a ruling change should require me to fill out more paperwork or subject myself to more administrative hassles or potential registries.

Barrel Length is Key

Size does matter, and in this case, I want something small and compact that will still meet the other two criterion. I don’t know if there is a perfect size or how to exactly define that, but I feel barrel length is a great place to start. I’m looking for a barrel length between 5-8 inches, but probably no more than 10 inches. To get these platforms that small you go down the folding stock/buffer tube of the direct impingement flavor. Or you run with a gas pistol system that places the reciprocating parts inline with the bore, usually on top of the barrel. Caliber can fluctuate, but it is dependent on barrel length for terminal performance. If you go too short, you might have something that can’t really deliver optimal terminal performance. The most common calibers are going to be 5.56mm, 9mm and 300BLK, with the later being the least effected by barrel length at typical defensive gun use distances.

Magazine Capacity

Being able to feed the AR Pistol with larger capacity magazines is a great advantage. However, you will have to balance this with the size of the bag. While you might be able to use a 40, 60 or even a 100-round magazine, can you still conceal the platform in the bag. I’ve found a sweet spot with the 20-round magazine; which is more than my primary carry. That doesn’t stop me from having a larger spare magazine stowed in my bag, so all is not lost. Capacity is one of those subjects that can get a little tricky. Some are adamant they want larger capacity magazines at the cost of a larger bag. I understand their logic, but the whole point is to have something discreet. The larger magazines typically are more prone to snagging during deployment so if I want to get the blaster out quickly, the smaller magazine creates less snag hazards. On a safety note, always carry your bag gun in condition three or “cruiser ready”. This means the chamber is empty with a loaded magazine. While most if not all bag gun platforms have an external safety, this is a hard and fast rule for me when carrying. You would be surprised how easy it is to swipe the safety off carrying it around. I understand this further slows down the deployment, but safety while carrying is essential.

Extended the Distance and Accuracy

Accuracy is a real defining characteristic for me as it allows me to extend my range. Could I shoot my primary carry gun at 25, 35 or even 50 yards…of course. My level of precision will diminish as the range increases, or I should say the diminishing precision is less impacting with something that is inherently more accurate. Even a 5-inch barrel on an AR Pistol can produce tight shot groups of sub-4 inches at 50 yards and beyond. One would have to justify the use of deadly force legally and morally at these extended ranges for defensive use, but the capability is there. Being more accurate means, I can do a batter job defending myself or protecting others. If I can stop the threat quicker because I was able to deliver fewer, but more accurate rounds that is a huge win. One counter argument is how good of a pistol shot are you with your primary carry gun. In other words, would fast hits from your pistol in non-vital regions be better than slower accurate hits to the vitals with your AR Pistol. Slower in the fact it takes more time to deploy from a bag than draw from a holster, even concealed.

In the end, you can put anything you want in a bag and say it is a bag gun. These three criteria are what really makes a bag gun work and work well.

The post Bag Guns and the AR Pistol appeared first on Trident Concepts.

Course Description:

The Tactical Pistol 2 (201) is a 2-day intermediate pistol course designed to equip the modern gunfighter with shooting skills necessary for close range defensive settings. In this intermediate pistol course, students learn the essential pistol skills from 0 to 25 yards. Close range shooting will focus on speed, while shooting at distance will focus on accuracy. Students are constantly exposed to challenging drills designed to shoot under pressure to evaluate knowledge and application. Subjects covered include combat marksmanship, holster drawstroke, gun handling and multiple threats. A major class objective is a rapid drawstroke to deliver accurate fire at close ranges, measured against time and accuracy standards. Additional subjects include shooter diagnostics, movement, strong hand only and ammunition management.

Gear & Equipment:

• Duty pistol, 9mm (red dot sight optional*)
• 1,000 rounds of training ammunition (500 rounds minimum)
• 5 x pistol magazines (8 magazines for single stacks)
• 5 x inert training rounds
• Range attire: long pants, comfortable shirt, athletic shoes and ball cap
• Basic loadout: rigid belt, on the waistband (OWB) holster, magazine pouches and dump pouch (optional)
• Handheld flashlight
• Multi-tool device
• Wrap around ballistic eye protection
• Hearing protection
• Water, snacks, sunscreen and appropriate inclement weather clothing
• Firearms cleaning kit and quality lubrication
• Notebook and pencil
• Open mind

*Students are welcome to use RDS equipped pistols, but must ensure they are properly zeroed. Recommended zero distance is 25 yards for optimal performance, but regardless students must know their impacts at ranges from 0-25 yards. 

Course Prerequisite:

Basic Pistol 1 or similar. The below drills are suggested as minimum skill requirements to meet the prerequisites. All drills are shot drawing from the holster. The recommended target is the TRICON TCT-MK4 available from Action Target or TRICON B8 target.

• Pistol Standard, Golf; at the 5 yard line, draw and fire 5 rounds in 5 seconds for 5 repetitions. Must be below par for each repetition and score 175/250 or higher.
• Pistol Standard, Bravo; at the 10 yard line, draw and fire 10 rounds (9 reload 1) in 15 seconds. Must be below par and score 70/100 or higher.
• Pistol Standard, India; at the 25 yard line draw and fire 5 rounds in 10 seconds for 2 repetitions. Must be below par for each repetition and score 70/100 points or higher combined.

Registration fee does not include any associated range fees.

Want to see other classes coming up this year? Check out the Class Schedule.

The post Tactical Pistol 2 appeared first on Trident Concepts.

Predictable As Always

It wasn’t even minutes before the left was foaming at the mouth for more gun control. As predictable as the sun rising, we heard it all once again. I saw it first hand while presenting at this year’s NRA Annual Meeting in Houston. I don’t need to make an obligatory statement about how terrible and tragic the event, as if I need to remind the public. I don’t need to be lectured or as was the case in Houston, screamed obscenities by people who only have one objective. To subjugate the armed citizenry.

Negotiating Terms Of Surrender

That’s it, that is all there is to the rapid almost psychotic rhetoric we are witnessing. And they are playing you! Here’s how and why. Every time a tragic event occurs that fits their narrative there is the immediate confrontation with those who wish to protect their freedoms. Rather than confrontation, think of it in terms of a negotiation. We are negotiating terms of our surrender. Any negotiation to be successful must have compromise from both parties and that is how they are playing you. By immediately taking to the airwaves and demanding more gun control they have the initiative, the proverbial high ground.

Understanding Lost Aversion

The logical outcome of their strategy is to achieve a compromise. Whatever the compromise, it further erodes or in some cases neuters our freedoms. When you enter into these negotiations, there is an implied agreement that will be reached. That agreement means that someone will lose. Because quite simply, a compromise is not a win, therefore it is a loss. Losses will always loom larger than gains. Meaning, lose aversion can be better understood by realizing that bad is stronger than good. It is an evolutionary outcome, we are predisposed to treat bad with a higher priority than good. Winning $10,000 is great, but loosing the same amount has a more devastating result.

The Rationalizing of Negotiations

If you want to safeguard your freedoms the first thing you need to do is not to engage in the existing negotiations since nothing will be gain, only lost. With this theory in mind you are far better to effectively safeguard our freedoms. The strategy should be simple, go on offense. Any negotiation has forced us to be defensive. We rationalize what we are willing to give up. To prioritize what we value more over what we value less. For example, if countries were negotiating the peaceful disarmament of offensive weapons they look at it from a strategic view. What do I not mind giving away as a way of ensuring I can keep what I really want, but still give something away.

Be Strategic In Your Outlook

Common ground if often cited as a solid approach towards achieving a better outcome. Find something both parties can agree to and agree to it hard. We can all agree the needless loss of life is a series issue. When both parties agree to this directive then we can start working towards achieving an effective strategy. In this case, that strategy would have almost nothing to do with gun control since needless loss of life related to firearms is infantile compared to other methods. We are not even talking about violent crimes, we are talking about life. Look up the current causes of death in our country and you will quickly realize the top five all have nothing to do with violence. You stand a higher chance of being struck by lightening than being in an active killer event.

With this in mind, why would we recklessly barter with our constitutional rights. There is no value, not any at all and there never will be. Which is why you are being played.

The post They Are Playing You appeared first on Trident Concepts.

GUNZZ! If you’re following one of the Power Athlete Training Programs we know you’re packing heat in the ol’ humerus holster but what about your 2nd Amendment arms? Firearms expert, Jeff Gonzales [@jl_gonzales] joins The Crew to discuss some fascinating aspects of Force Science. Learn how to spot telltale characteristics or people who are up to no good and how you should react accordingly. Maintaining vigilance is not confined to those in law enforcement or the military. Jeff predominantly works with civilians who are seeking to refine their firearms expertise and build on their situational awareness.

The post Power Athlete Episode 419: Packing Heat w/Jeff Gonzales appeared first on Trident Concepts.

Since the beginning of the Pandemic over 17 million guns have been sold throughout America. In addition to this staggering number, another 5 million NEW gun owners have been added to the rosters of legal gun owners. Rough estimates suggest that there are anywhere from 350 to 420 million guns now existing in American houses, automobiles, apartments, concealed underneath clothing, and in the hands of criminals. The Froglogic Podcast is honored to welcome CEO of Trident Concepts and director or training at the Range in Austin, Jeff Gonzales to this week’s show. Jeff is a former Navy SEAL and Government contractor who’s been teaching tactical firearms training for the past 25 years. Rut and Jeff are long time friends and teammates. In this episode these two frogmen explore the importance of the 2nd Amendment, quality firearms training, increasing crime rates, and the future of guns in America.  Don’t miss this insightful and educational show. HOOYAH

Award-winning Podcast Host, David Rutherford ignites his Froglogic Podcast by answering life’s greatest questions regarding the human condition. Listen to this former Navy SEAL Medic, CIA Contractor, best-selling author, and World Series Champion motivational performance coach, give his unique and profound insight about the world as he sees it. For more information about David please visit www.teamfroglogic.com or to seek out your truth please visit his online training company at www.froglogicinstitute.com

Please follow Jeff on Social Media

Check out his website at www.tridentconcepts.com

—
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/froglogic-podcast/support 

The post Froglogic Podcast EP #59 Jeff Gonzales – 2nd Amendment Advocate – Master Firearms Instructor appeared first on Trident Concepts.

Jeff Gonzales is a former Navy SEAL and the founder of Trident Concepts which has been forging hardcore trigger pullers since 2001.

Jeff and I speak about putting all your time and energy into your passion and not seeing results, learning from your biggest struggle, setting an example regardless of where you are in life, and so much more!

**ALL EPISODES ON AUDIO / all podcast apps ~ www.kristoflewis.com/podcast

Conversation #111 is LIVE on your favorite podcast app or www.kristoflewis.com/podcast. https://www.instagram.com/kristoflewis www.kristoflewis.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/jl_gonzales https://www.instagram.com/tridentconc…

https://tridentconcepts.com/

The post Conversation #111 – Jeff Gonzales – Former Navy SEAL & Founder of Trident Concepts appeared first on Trident Concepts.

Here is a sinipet from the podcast, to download the full podcast use this link: Ep 533 – Fighting, Guns, and Gunfighting with Jeff Gonzales & Craig Douglas

John is one of my oldest friends, he got me through a pretty dark time in my life. His grasp of fitness is bar none one of the bests. Check out some of his programs, I can 100% vouch for them. To learn more about being a Power Athlete follow this link.

The post Power Athlete HQ Podcast, Episode 533 appeared first on Trident Concepts.