Over the next several weeks I'll be reviewing several training DVDs from Thunder Ranch, as taught by instructor Clint Smith. I will also include a few miscellaneous titles that are certainly a generation removed from the current "high speed" offerings.
Titles include:
Thunder Ranch® Oregon & Thunder Ranch® Texas
Thunder Ranch® Oregon Director
More to come later as I have the chance to review the other titles.
Titles include:
- Thunder Ranch: Defensive Firearms
- Thunder Ranch: Defensive Shotgun
- Thunder Ranch: Defensive Revolver
- Jeff Cooper: A Man in Full
- Gunsite: Tactics for Self Defense
Thunder Ranch® Oregon & Thunder Ranch® Texas
Thunder Ranch® Oregon Director
Defensive Firearms is a 2-disc set, with Disc 1 lasting 37 minutes and Disc 2 lasting 52 minutes (plus some bonus material). It is shot in an almost conversational style with Clint Smith being the exclusive 'actor'. Its essentially like having a conversation with CS for an afternoon. Parts take place outdoors, indoors, and some parts are shot on the range for some demos. I found the title to be somewhat misleading, as he not only covers a variety of firearms, but also delves into more topics like mindset and tactics. Most of these concepts are presented with lecture, and not by demonstration (the firearm demos are, however).
Disc 1 starts with CS's take on the 4 Firearms Safety Rules. He then hits on aspects of target considerations like distance, time, and marksmanship. He covers target conditions and other considerations. I found the section on mental conditioning to be quite good, focusing on visualization, 'what ifs', and avoidance. He also briefly covers Cooper's Color Codes of Awareness. He wraps up Disc 1 with a section on Tactics, where he goes over cover and concealment.
Disc 2 moves indoors to cover gun selection. He speaks on handgun calibers, rifle calibers, ammo quality, polymer handguns, revolvers, rifle types, and the various actions of each.
Its very obvious that CS is "old school" and has an affinity for wheel guns. I like that the recurring theme throughout the DVD is using the gun you have NOW, regardless of what type it is. "Possession does not equal competency" was reiterated several times. "Shoot your guns!" was also heard often.
Disc 2 also contained a few bonus segments:
Disc 1 starts with CS's take on the 4 Firearms Safety Rules. He then hits on aspects of target considerations like distance, time, and marksmanship. He covers target conditions and other considerations. I found the section on mental conditioning to be quite good, focusing on visualization, 'what ifs', and avoidance. He also briefly covers Cooper's Color Codes of Awareness. He wraps up Disc 1 with a section on Tactics, where he goes over cover and concealment.
Disc 2 moves indoors to cover gun selection. He speaks on handgun calibers, rifle calibers, ammo quality, polymer handguns, revolvers, rifle types, and the various actions of each.
Its very obvious that CS is "old school" and has an affinity for wheel guns. I like that the recurring theme throughout the DVD is using the gun you have NOW, regardless of what type it is. "Possession does not equal competency" was reiterated several times. "Shoot your guns!" was also heard often.
Disc 2 also contained a few bonus segments:
- Pistol grip & stance
- Pistol loading
- Pistol places
- Malfunction clearance
A Man in Full is a simple and well-done documentary on the life of the late Jeff Cooper. Its about 45 minutes long and includes interviews of friends, family, and business associates of Lt. Col. Cooper. It is also packed with some really cool pictures from the era that can arguably be called the "birth of modern handgunning".
In this day of Magpul and polymer we shouldn't forget those who came before us and paved the way. This video is a great tribute to a great man. Never have I felt like my life was dull and boring until I saw just how much life Cooper was able to pack into his 80+ years.
Many probably do not realize that MANY of the tenants we discuss right here on INGO were first codified by Cooper. He truly was the "Father of Modern Handgunning".
I would recommend this video to anyone who appreciates firearms, history, biographies, and good stories. The one about the Cape Buffalo hunt on his 70th birthday is worth it alone.
In this day of Magpul and polymer we shouldn't forget those who came before us and paved the way. This video is a great tribute to a great man. Never have I felt like my life was dull and boring until I saw just how much life Cooper was able to pack into his 80+ years.
Many probably do not realize that MANY of the tenants we discuss right here on INGO were first codified by Cooper. He truly was the "Father of Modern Handgunning".I would recommend this video to anyone who appreciates firearms, history, biographies, and good stories. The one about the Cape Buffalo hunt on his 70th birthday is worth it alone.
More to come later as I have the chance to review the other titles.
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"I painted the signs".
. Then bwframe says the quoted part above. Well, I can think of 3 friends I know that carry a revolver as their BUG or pocket gun, and odds are NOT remote that one of the guns in an altercation that I may find myself picking up to use could be a revolver. Silly not to know how to run one, and that would be a fun class even if I have no plans on owning one.
