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On this episode of the Taking Aim podcast, host Rich Nance reunites with former partner Jordan Sares. The two worked together for years at a Northern California police department as firearms and defensive tactics instructors and as members of the SWAT team. Jordan traces his path from Jacksonville, Florida, to the Marine Corps, which he joined the Monday after graduating high school. He deployed to Iraq during the brutal summer of 2006, made it through the recon pipeline, and graduated from scout sniper school before a second deployment. He describes the hard transition out of the military, when his identity was tied to being a Marine, and how the search for camaraderie and purpose led him into law enforcement. PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters  (00:00:00) Cold Open (00:04:56) Leaving the Military, Finding Law Enforcement (00:16:25) Training Philosophy & the Crew (00:22:43) The Night Begins (00:29:20) A Woman Held at Gunpoint (00:34:43) Shot Fired, Rifle Malfunction (00:40:30) Suspect Opens Fire (00:46:54) The Shot (00:53:26) Caring for the Hostage (00:59:08) The Spiral After the Shooting (01:07:01) Serving Veterans Today (01:12:02) Medal of Valor & Crediting the Crew (01:20:14) What It Means to Be a Cop

In this episode of the Taking Aim Podcast, host Richard Nance sits down with Todd Jarrett, one of the most decorated competitive handgun shooters in the world, who had just won another national title days before recording. Todd traces his career from picking up shooting at 19 after a gunpoint incident, to his 1991 US Nationals win with a high-capacity gun and his 1996 sweep of all three major championships. He also breaks down what separates champions from everyone else, from his mental preparation starting a month before a match to the dry-fire work behind his results. The conversation then turns to equipment, including Todd's firsthand account of putting some of the first red dots on competition pistols in the late 1980s, why he says only about 70% of shooters should run one, and why he still carries iron sights for concealed carry. It closes with advice for law enforcement on training with limited time, how long modern guns last when they're well lubricated, and what keeps him competing into his sixties.PRODUCED BY IRONCLADFollow Todd on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/todd.jarrett.186/?hl=enFollow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSAVisit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn morePRODUCED BY IRONCLADChapters00:00 – Welcome Todd & His Latest National Title06:27 – Learning From the Greats & Teaching Special Operations13:01 – Competition vs. Tactical Shooting & Training Law Enforcement17:10 – Why Gear Doesn't Make the Shooter, and What Does24:54 – The Mental Game: Preparing a Month Out32:23 – Red Dots: From 1988 Mounts to Today39:14 – Law Enforcement Training, Dry Fire & Cops in Competition44:24 – Know Your Gun and Ammo: Accuracy Standards, Zeroing & Duty Ammo54:37 – How Long Guns Really Last: 160,000 Rounds & Lubing58:23 – What Keeps Him Competing

In this episode of the Taking Aim Podcast, host Richard Nance sits down with Vicki Cianciarulo, CEO of Content King Media and co-host of The Choice, to trace her path from a tomboy in the Chicago suburbs to one of the pioneering women in televised bow hunting. Vicki recounts how buying a bow from Archer's Choice led to marrying the shop's owner, Ralph, and building a 26-season television run together, along with the gear, ethics, and shot-distance debates that separate bow hunting from rifle hunting. The conversation turns dramatic with her account of a five-foot bull moose shot in the Yukon and the family's history with Cape Buffalo in South Africa, including a 2023 hunt where a wounded buffalo charged her son RJ and the group's guide. It closes on Vicki's reflections on raising the next generation into the sport and what keeps her and Ralph chasing elk and mule deer from their home in Colorado.PRODUCED BY IRONCLADFollow Vicki on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ralphandvicki/?hl=enFollow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSAVisit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn morePRODUCED BY IRONCLADChapters00:00 – Welcome Vicki & How She Met Ralph08:04 – Building Archer's Choice and The Choice11:19 – Raising RJ on the Road18:05 – Bow Types, Draw Weight & Gear Basics21:28 – Shot Distance and Ethics: Bow vs. Rifle25:01 – Five Feet From a Bull Moose32:19 – Sights, Red Dots & Aiming Solutions35:20 – Shooting Form & Unconventional Positions39:18 – Advice for Beginners47:15 – Where to Find Vicki & The Choice

In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with retired Army veteran Chuck Pressburg (26.5 years, including a decade in the Ranger Regiment, R&D work for Army Special Operations Command, and a founding role in the Asymmetric Warfare Group), who now runs Presscheck Consulting. Chuck breaks down how his operational and gear-acquisition background shaped his civilian training career, including why he teaches citizens the same fundamentals he teaches the government while carefully vetting students and limiting what he publicly markets. The conversation digs into his No Fail Pistol and No Fail Rifle courses, why grip and consistent gun presentation matter more than gear, and his 30-plus years of experience with red dots, from the early Aimpoint-equipped Army units to today's pistol-mounted optics debate. It closes on his consulting work with companies like Blue Force Gear, B.E. Meyers, Sons of Liberty Gun Works, and Chambers Custom, plus a push to help fund training for law enforcement through his partnership with the George Pastore Foundation.PRODUCED BY IRONCLADVisit Chuck's website at: https://www.presscheckconsulting.com/aboutFollow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSAVisit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn morePRODUCED BY IRONCLADChapters00:00 – Cold Open04:24 – Vetting Students & What He Teaches Citizens07:31 – Starting Presscheck & Why He Teaches10:49 – Mentors & Human Factors Consulting13:04 – Military Acquisition Stories17:04 – Origin of No Fail Pistol28:09 – Why Based Training36:59 – Red Dots: Army Aimpoints to Pistol Optics44:03 – Controlled Reps, "Over Throttle" & Internet Nuance50:28 – Collab Course With John Hearn56:40 – Who Each Type of Course Is For1:03:14 – Consulting Clients & Growing the Business1:10:45 – Where to Find Chuck & Funding Cop Training

Richard Nance talks with Al Salvitti, founder of Regiment Blades, about his path from decades of hardcore martial arts training and years as a bar bouncer to designing knives built for real-world violence rather than choreographed technique. Al breaks down his blade's punch-first, straight-stab design and his combatives philosophy — instilling self-doubt in an attacker, weapon retention, and always being the initiator rather than the reactor. They close on how his knife landed a feature in Jack Carr's novel The Fourth Option. Follow Al on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/al_regimentblades/?hl=en Visit Regiment Blades at: https://regimentblades.com/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters  00:00:00 Intro / how Rich and Al met 00:01:13 Al's martial arts background — brutal training under his Korean instructor 00:09:45 Becoming a bar bouncer and his first real fight 00:13:20 Training Navy SEAL teams in open-hand striking 00:20:29 Breaking down the Regiment Blade's design 00:24:49 Cut vs. Stab philosophy 00:29:51 Weapon and firearm retention 00:34:02 "It's always my turn" — being the initiator, not the reactor 00:37:13 How the blade landed in Jack Carr's novel The Fourth Option 00:55:22 The Dog Brothers and Tom vs. "Top Dog" showdown

In today’s episode of Taking Aim, Rich Nance is joined by Pro BMX rider and drift racer Caleb Quanbeck who breaks down his wild path from racing BMX at age five to building a professional drift program sponsored by Walther, Guiseley, and Silencer Shop. He shares how he got into shooting after buying his first pistol at a pawn shop, why he went all-in on 10,000 rounds a month, and his unfiltered take on red dots, self-defense, and the struggle that made him who he is today. Follow Caleb Quanbeck on Instagram: @calebquanbeck Check out Caleb Quanbeck on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/calebquanbeck Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit Aimpoint.com to learn more: https://www.aimpoint.com/  PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Video Chapters: (00:00) – From BMX Racing to Freestyle (08:10) – What Is Drifting? Sport Breakdown (16:32) – Landing Walther, Guiseley & Firearm Sponsors (25:07) – Buying His First Gun & Learning to Shoot (33:22) – Building Civilian Arms & Merging Both Worlds (41:56) – Competing, Red Dots vs. Irons (46:52) – California's Gun Laws & Wrap-Up

In this episode of the Taking Aim Podcast, host Rich talks with Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus USA, about his winding path through the firearms industry — from Air Force Reserve small arms instructor and Coast Guard Academy collegiate pistol shooter, to blogger-turned-full-time-writer after his star-making appearance on History Channel's Top Shot in 2010. The conversation dives deep into Caleb's specialty as a revolver competitor, tracing how a rough 2011 IDPA World Championship performance pushed him to focus on revolvers as a discipline that forces visual patience and fundamentals, and how that skill transfers directly to shooting semi-autos faster and cleaner. They cover Taurus's revolver lineup (including the factory-optics-ready Toro line and the Executive Grade series), the tactical case for concealed-carry revolvers — especially around entangled gunfights and negligent-discharge resistance — reload technique and gear, and Caleb's own minimalist EDC setup built around a revolver, a fixed blade instead of a spare reload, and pepper spray, closing with where to find his work and the Taurus product family. Follow Caleb on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radicaleb/?hl=en Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

In this episode of the Taking Aim Podcast, host Rich sits down with Seth Swerczek, Marketing Communications Manager at Hornady Ammunition, to trace his path from Marine Corps rifleman to ballistics engineer to marketing lead — and how his hands-on lab background shapes the way he communicates about products today. The conversation ranges from his Nebraska upbringing and lifelong hunting relationship with his father, to the technical realities of a ballistician's day-to-day (propellant troubleshooting, terminal performance testing, and years of Doppler radar data behind Hornady's drag-reduction technology), to the design philosophy behind newer cartridges like the 7 PRC and 6.5 PRC — built to expand what's possible rather than replace proven classics like the 7 Mag. The episode closes on Hornady's Vexis biometric safe, with Seth breaking down the near-infrared vein-recognition technology that unlocks it in roughly 0.3 seconds, fully offline and non-networked for security. Follow Seth on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seth.swerczek/?hl=en Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters  00:00 – Cold Open 02:44 – A Day in the Life of a Ballistics Engineer 08:09 – Growing Up Hunting & Time in the Marine Corps 14:26 – Starting the Hornady Podcast 19:05 – Hornady's Bullet Technology (Critical Duty, 9mm Shift) 25:00 – Why New Cartridges Don't Replace the Classics 29:28 – Reading the Wind vs. Calling the Wind 33:24 – How Technology Has Changed Hunting 39:30 – What's New at Hornady (Bullets & Safes) 43:34 – The Vexis Biometric Safe 48:45 – Where to Find Hornady 50:04 – Outro

On today’s episode of Aimpoint’s Taking Aim podcast, Rich Nance sits down with Kelly McCann, a former Marine Corps infantry commander and special operations veteran known for his pioneering work in combatives and firearms training. Kelly breaks down personal security, self-defense, and armed encounters through a “principles over techniques” lens; covering everything from home security and legal use-of-force pitfalls to red dot pistol optics. With a career spanning work with elite units, founding the multimillion-dollar Crucible training company, and media contributions under the alias Jim Grover, McCann’s insights into realistic self-defense, tactical innovation, and mental toughness are sure to inspire and instruct listeners in improving their skills. Follow Kembatvitz at: https://www.instagram.com/kembativz/?hl=en Check out Kembatvitz at: kembativz.com Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit Aimpoint.com to learn more: https://www.aimpoint.com/  PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Video Chapters: (00:00) Kelly's Background & Personal Security Basics (06:10) Layered Personal Protection: Awareness, Dress & Home Security (08:48) Less-Lethal Tools, Improvised Weapons & Legal Risk (13:45) Cameras, Excessive Force & Fighting Under Pressure (17:10) Training Military vs. Law Enforcement vs. Civilians (21:42) Why "Women's Self-Defense" Is a Myth (28:51) Principle-Based vs. Technique-Based Combatives (40:09) Social Media Critics, State of Combatives & Red Dot Sights (58:38) Idaho Active Shooter Incident & Closing Thoughts

In today’s episode of Taking Aim, Rich Nance is joined by Richard Mann, shooting editor at Field and Stream, ammo columnist for American Rifleman, and one of the most prolific gun writers in the industry. Richard breaks down what a true “scout rifle” is, discusses red dot reliability, and why most shooters panic when their dot disappears. He also shares stories from decades of African safaris, from first-shot nerves, gut-shot mistakes, campfire debriefs, and why he keeps going back. More from Richard Mann: https://emptycases.substack.com/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Video Chapters: (00:00) Richard's Writing Career & Background (02:36) What Is a Scout Rifle? (Cooper's Concept & Controversy) (08:10) Gun Safety, Africa Prep & First Safari Nerves (18:37) Red Dot Sights: Training Mistakes & Reliability (26:07) Red Dots for Hunting & Dangerous Game (31:31) Why Africa Keeps Calling Him Back & Final Thoughts

In today’s episode of Taking Aim, Rich Nance sits down with Buck Buckner, Training Manager for AimPoint USA and a 20+ year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard's deployable specialized forces, joins Taking Aim to break down what it really takes to master a red dot on a pistol. Whether you're in law enforcement, a competitive shooter, or just picked up your first red dot pistol, this conversation is packed with real, actionable insight from one of the most respected voices in red dot training.  More from Buck: https://aimpoint.us/duane-buck-buckner  Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Video Chapters: (00:00) Meet Buck Buckner (01:17) Why Police Are Slow to Adopt Red Dots (03:23) Buck's Coast Guard Career & Path to AimPoint (08:32) The Science of Simplicity: Sequential vs. Parallel Thinking (13:49) Emphatic vs. Subtle Signals (Why Red Dots Work) (18:23) Draw Stroke, Presentation & Weapon Retention (26:30) Common Grip & Aiming Errors (34:14) Grip Mechanics, Recoil Control & Head Stillness

In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with Cecil Burch, a third-degree black belt in Gracie jiu-jitsu and longtime martial arts and combatives instructor who owns Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Anthem in Arizona, to explore his decades-long journey through dozens of martial arts disciplines before settling on jiu-jitsu, the philosophy behind pressure-testing skills through real competition, the importance of training in a weapons-based environment for genuine self-defense, and the deeper lesson that true mastery means growing beyond imitation of any single instructor or system. Follow Cecil on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graciejiujitsuanthem/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters  (00:00:00) Martial Arts Background & Early Training (00:06:44) Comparing Journeys: Magazines, Karate Kid & Adapting for the Street (00:11:03) Why Competition Matters: Pressure Testing (00:17:37) Process vs. Outcome & Self-Worth in Competition (00:18:52) Choosing Jiu-Jitsu as a Base & the Size/Strength Myth (00:25:43) Martial Arts Meets Firearms: Weapons-Based Training (00:32:12) The Cost of Hardcore Training (CTE & Injury) (00:45:09) Training Civilians vs. Law Enforcement vs. Military (00:52:05) Developing Your Own Style: The Bruce Lee Philosophy (01:06:27) Plugging the Academy & Where to Find Cecil

In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with CJ Cowan, a Marine Corps combat veteran and the Training Coordinator for the Surefire Institute, to talk about his journey from a childhood spent learning marksmanship fundamentals with his grandfather to route clearance in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, and ultimately into a career built around training law enforcement and civilians alike. CJ and Rich dig into the real differences between training, practice, and competition, why a "gunfighter's mindset" matters more than a match score, the science of myelination and how skill actually gets built in the brain, and the low-light tactics, weapon lights, and red dot fundamentals every serious shooter should understand. Follow CJ Cowan on Instagram: @cj_cowan_ Learn more about the Surefire Institute: https://www.surefire.com/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & CJ's Background in Shooting and Hunting 02:57 – Marine Corps Service and Route Clearance in Afghanistan 04:51 – Competition Shooting vs. Training: The Gunfighter Mindset 09:49 – The Science of Skill: Myelination and How the Brain Learns 27:28 – Inside the Surefire Institute: Master Coach and Low-Light Training 39:15 – Weapon Lights, Handhelds, and Low-Light Best Practices 41:55 – Red Dots vs. Iron Sights: Building Automaticity and Speed

In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with Casey Starling, a professional BMX street rider who has crossed over into the firearms world through sponsorships with Walther and Geissele, a move that cost him his nearly decade-long partnership with Kink BMX after the brand said it didn't want him mixing firearms content with his BMX career to explore the surprising parallels between the discipline, precision, and calculated mindset required to push the limits of BMX and the focus needed to shoot at a high level. Follow Casey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CASEYCASED/?__d=11 Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters  00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:55 - Casey's Background & Learning BMX 00:05:03 - Getting Sponsored & Going Pro in BMX 00:12:10 - Mindset: Full Commitment & Parallels to Shooting 00:17:12 - The Kink BMX Controversy & Firearms Sponsorship 00:39:44 - Gear Talk: Red Dot vs. Irons & Wrap Up

In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with Brad Fenson, an award-winning outdoor writer and photographer who has written for over 60 publications and co-authored the Canadian editions of the Total Outdoorsman, Total Fishing, and Total Gun manuals. They discuss Brad's childhood roots in waterfowl hunting, the craft of writing a compelling hunting story, and the evolution of bow and crossbow technology. Brad also shares his firsthand experience using red dot optics on dangerous game in Africa and while handgun hunting, emphasizing that consistency behind the trigger matters more than the gear itself. Along the way, he reflects on his podcast, Harvest Your Own, and how his daughters' growing involvement in the outdoors reflects his mission to pass hunting knowledge on to the next generation. Follow Brad on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/bradfenson/?hl=en Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD