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Sniper Team Match - Video and Wrap-Up
Thirty teams came from across the country to compete in Tiger Valley's
Sniper Team Match on January 12 and 13. Comprised
of a sniper and a
carbine-equipped spotter, the teams competed in eight stages over two days.
The first stage had all teams deploy along the 300 yard line, awaiting
targets that randomly appeared from the pits. Each target was
marked with a team number, requiring each target to be identified by
each team. Some targets were 30-second exposure movers and some
30-second stationaries, each requiring 5 t-zone head shots by the
sniper and 10 body shots by the spotter. Unknown to the
participants at the time, each team would be given eight exposures over
a three hour duration.
Further stages required sniper-spotter communication, firing from a
full-size helicopter mock-up elevated on F-350 truck springs, rescuing
a hostage from the shoothouse, and engaging unknown sized objects at
unknown distances, just to name a few of the challenges involved.
Many thanks to all of the match
participants, especially those who came from far away to attend this
match. A video showing a few highlights from the match can
be found here.
Upcoming 3-Gun Match
Tiger Valley is hosting a three day 3-gun match on April 25 to April
27. The event begins Friday morning and will finish halfway
through Sunday, with Calvary Arms sponsoring the match with a generous
prize table. Sign up soon, as the match is limited to 80
participants and is filling up quickly. Additional information on
the match can be found here. |
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USAF Video
USAF Special Tactics is comprised of highly trained Combat Control,
Pararescue and Combat Weather personnel. These forces are capable
of providing terminal guidance, control of assault zone aircraft, fire
support, combat search and rescue, medical support, and weather
support. This video highlights these warriors.
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The Ragged Edge and Beyond
by T.J. Pilling
A few years ago, my son had just purchased his first motorcycle and quickly convinced me
that I needed to buy one. He purchased relatively calm 200cc Yamaha; of
course I had to opt for an YZ250, which had just come from a pro who
raced it in Cross Country. For those of you who know bikes they
don’t get much wilder then the YZ250. The power to weight ratio
is unbelievable, a twist of the wrist and you are doing a wheel stand.
Within the first two trips to the woods I had managed to crush a
$300.00 header and bend the front forks. This on a bike designed to
take crashes. My ego wouldn’t let my 13-year-old son pass me on
the trails. Type “A” personalities are like that as
everyone knows. I was playing the game way outside my limits. Skills
for shit, but an ego as big as a house. I sold the bike after going
over a cliff called “rocky ridge” and receving a standing ovation
from the crowd that was gathered at the base. They said that was the
best crash that they had seen anyone walk away from.
As a firearms instructor I observe this phenomenon on a regular basis.
The first glaring example that comes to mind was a SWAT team that we
were putting through their paces in a shoot house. One of the guys who
was going through was much older and not in the same physical condition
as the younger guys. He entered at the rear of the stack and missed a
target as he entered. Looking back he observed it and swung his weapon,
lazering the team and shooting past a team member to hit the target.
Adrenaline was squirting out his ears and his ego on overload. He
wasn’t going to be outdone by the younger guys and would do
anything not to fail. He was functioning way outside his mental and
physical limits.
Go to any match and you will see this happen on a
regular basis. Shooters who don’t have the ability or training to
play at a competitive level, but insist on forcing situations outside
their limits. Believe me, just because you don’t rank as a Grand
Master 3-gunner doesn’t mean you can’t play, it just means
you need to play the game to your level.
This has nothing to do with age or gender and everything with to do
with knowing when to pull back. The epiphany for me was when I was
seeing ground earth ground earth in rapid succession accompanied by
sharp pain. I knew that if I continued with this bike I would probably
kill myself or break something I can’t fix, like my body.
I would like to say that an instructor and “RO” could have
a positive impact on reducing this type of behavior, but I don’t
think that’s possible. You would have to get into the ego state
of the person behind the gun and that changes in an instant. Add in
oxygen deprivation, adrenaline and you have a real recipe for disaster
for someone playing outside their limits. We all need to reinforce to
everyone that for all but a few this is just entertainment, not worth
injuring yourself or someone else for. The adage “don’t let
your ego write checks your ass can’t cash” will be my cry
before shooting begins in the future.
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Report from the SHOT Show
For the first time Tiger Valley had a booth
presence at the industry SHOT Show, held Febuary 2 to 5 at the
Las Vegas Convention Center. With over 58,000 people
and 1,900 plus exhibitors the event is absolutely massive.
An
attendee could easily spend all four days and not cover the entire
show.
The event was a great success for Tiger Valley and gave us an opportunity to check out some excellent gear as well.
The great folks at LaRue Tactical
were showing off their new line of AR-15 upper receivers. In a
market that's generally racing to the bottom in search of the lowest
possible price points (and quality), LaRue's product stands apart.
Starting with their CNC-machined Stealth Billet Upper, a
precision medium-weight barrel, LaRue handguard, and other premium
components are added to make an unquestionably fantastic product.
Of great interest to both the tactical and hunting crowd, US Opticshad
their new SN-4 1.5-6 scope on hand. At 1.5 power, the scope's
generous eye relief makes it an excellent CQB optic in addition to
its great potential for accurate medium to long range shots at higher
magnifications. This SN-4 can be had is a dizzying arrary of
reticle, knob, and illumination options. For
those of us looking for an optic that can perform across a wide range
of engagement distances, this looks to be a great option. |
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Nightime Classes at Elm Fork
Tiger
Valley's new location at the Elm Fork shooting range in Dallas saw the
first in a series of "mini-classes", running weeknights from 6:30 PM to
9 PM.
Low-light pistol was on the agenda for this first class, which took
place on January 30th. Students were provided with the
fundamental skills and knowledge required to operate handguns in
the environment where criminals tend to operate - the dark.
On a related note, if you are looking for Surefire gear, be sure to talk to Calvin at www.brightflashlights.net. Calvin is a first-class guy who runs a first-class business. He can be reached at 352-732-2156.
Coming up is "Carbine Dynamics" on March 5. The class will cover
moving and shooting, engaging moving targets, and transition drills.
Bring any carbine (with a sling), sidearm, holster, safety gear,
200 rounds of carbine ammo, and 50 rounds of pistol. There is no
need to preregister, just arrive at Elm Fork at 6:30 PM. Course fee is $65.
Next on the schedule is "Undercover Carry" on March 19. Bring
your daily carry pistol (snub-nose revolver or small framed automatic)
utilizing whatever practical carry method, or methods, you currently
use. The course will cover the fundamentals of drawing and
deploying these weapons at "in the hole" distances. Pistol, 200
rounds, holster(s), and safety gear is all that is required.
Course fee is $65.
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Previous Newsletters Available Online!
Check out our previous newletters for fantastic training videos, equipment
reviews, and special articles. Find them here.
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Upcoming Events
Feburary
March
April
May
June
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Tiger Valley LLC.
Range Address: Hwy 84 at Joe Russell Rd. | Prairie Hill, TX 76678
Mailing Address: 6309 Scottsboro Ln. | Garland, TX 75044
Cell: (972)977-9512 | Office/Fax: (972)530-6510 |
