We Fight Monsters

If you’ve ever wanted to get into local shooting matches or want to inspire a friend, wife, or child to pick up pistol proficiency/shooting sports, I recommend the SW 22lr “Victory” pistol with a few Tandemkross components which will increase your consistency and accuracy (lower times). This pistol is an awesome starting point where you can’t go wrong, the Victory with Tandemkross is a platform you can go from beginner to winning competitions without spending a fortune. Even though I’ve always been a fan of Ruger’s MK series which Tandemkross supports as well, I’ve been attracted to the SW Victory for a few reasons. The Victory has a very simple breakdown even a child could clean, a low price tag, and it comes factory with fiber optics sights, adjustable rear sight post, an alternate picatinny-rail with a fixed rear post, threaded barrel with thread protector, and an adjustable trigger! It’s easy to see Smith and Wesson made this gun with a purpose. In the upcoming weeks I’ll be reviewing this platform and going through each component in more detail. I’m excited to get this in the hands of some new shooters and also see what some veterans can really do with it. Check out this video and I’ll walk you through what we’ll be trying out.

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Purchase: https://amzn.to/3nfqYs9 Surviving alone in any environment is difficult. The worst places you could find yourself needing to survive tend to be where the climate is extreme, such as in the desert or in the arctic climates where subzero temperatures during the day are normal. Here in Alaska, it is normal for the winters to be bitterly cold with snow dropping by the foot within hours. The most important skill you must have would be starting a fire. But you better be very quick and methodical about how you accomplish the task of lighting one and keeping it going. Fire is one of the greatest things that we as human beings have been able to perfect. Fire in every climate has been a necessity for not only heat but cooking, morale, and signalling. In the arctic however, it is arguably even more important than finding food. Without fire, you could freeze and die and then there is no way you can survive to find food for yourself. So let us look at a few items you will need in order to get your fire started.

John Valentine is joined by Major (RET) John Spencer of the Modern War Institute. Together they discuss modern urban warfare and 4th generation warfare. John W. Spencer currently serves as the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute, Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project, and host of the Urban Warfare Project podcast. He served over twenty-five years in the Army as an infantry soldier having held ranks from Private to Sergeant First Class and Second Lieutenant to Major. His assignments as an Army officer included two combat deployments to Iraq as both an Infantry Platoon Leader and Company Commander, a Ranger Instructor with the Army’s Ranger School, a Joint Chief of Staff and Army Staff intern, fellow with the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Strategic Studies Group, Strategic Planner and then Deputy Director of the Modern War Institute where he was instrumental in the design and formation of the institute. His research focuses on military operations in dense urban areas, megacities, urban and subterranean warfare. He is an international recognized subject matter expert in urban warfare that regularly consults for United States Army Forces Command units, Training and Doctrine Command, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), United Nations, and many others military and national security organizations. He holds a Master of Policy Management from Georgetown University. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, LA Times, NY Daily News, Wired Magazine, Politico, The Hill, Foreign Policy Magazine, Defense One, Army Magazine, and many other publications. Follow our regular channel at Spotterup on YouTube, Follow our site at https://spotterup.com/ Follow on Instagram as https://www.instagram.com/spotterup/ Visit my store at https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/ Book: We Fight Monsters https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/books/products/copy-of-book-we-fight-monsters-signed-copy-with-stickers-2nd-edition Shirts: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/spotter-up The Saint Factory Shirts: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/the-saint-factory Playing Cards: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/playing-cards Wall Art: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/apparel Green Ops: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/green-ops Flags and Patches: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/patches Drinkware: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/drinkware Headwear: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/headware Stickers: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/stickers

Neoprene booties are excellent for protecting your feet whether you’re in the ocean or a lake. Most Booties are excellent for protecting the soles of your feet but the Hyrdo boots will provide ankle protection too unlike many of the ‘water’ shoes on the market. Water shoes are a combination between a sandal and a low hiker shoe. You never know what you’re going to step on or rub against while in the water. A good thick soled boot is also what you need to keep your feet warm while getting wet. The LALO Hydro Recons have a sole that will let the air in while letting water drain out of the bottom. Excellent for keeping pebbles and most sand out. They drain and dry VERY quickly. PRODUCT PROFILE The Hydro Recon is a rapid response waterborne shoe inspired by the SOF Operators need to move with efficiency in and out of the water and over varied terrain. FEATURES & BENEFITS Lightweight insulated 1.00 mm Neoprene Stability wrap to envelope foot for extra support Blade resistant and water repellent SuperFabricª ceramic-treated textile overlay for abrasion resistance EVA heel counter for maximum stability and a secure fit Anatomical cuff designed for movement Finger loop for ease of entry Medial zipper Unique cleaver pattern rubber outsole PODs for increased traction Stability arch Perforated midsole for full drainage Cushioned EVA mid and outsole USAGE RECOMMENDATIONS The Hydro Recon is a sound choice for BUD/s Training, swimming, beach, slick rocks, river terrain, reef, paddle and surfboard decks, outdoor adventure races, OTB ops and more. Tested, tried and true in a variety of terrain, the Hydro Recon is for those who only look backwards to see how far they have come. SPECIFICATIONS Color: Jungle Weight: 8.9 oz (based on a men's size 9.5) Drop: 5 mm active drop

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“Every man lives confusedly in darkness until he is willing to enter into light by exiting the womb of his life and leaves the safety of that environment. He has to make mistakes, he has to take chances, he has to be willing to be cut down by critics and applauded by praisers even at times ignoring what they say, while he finds out for himself what is true and false, and even then, he'll never really know a thing until he leaves comfort behind. He must disregard everything told to him in all the safe passages he's traveled, and those tubes and tunnels. It's only when he's free of 'back there' will he understand what he left behind. Men will always be strangers to one another and themselves unless each learns by trial and error and ascertains the truth, that what he believed was only theory, and until he applied it, he was but a theorist and not a realist. Truth has a way of cutting through nonsense. He must make his bones, and sometimes he must pay some very big dues, but in the end, he'll know truth. What he knew before may have been right but it wasn't until he questioned it, and applied it will it sink in and make sense. The cause of any man's confusion is that he never found himself but finding means searching, and halfhearted attempts often come from halfhearted men who in the end are just kidding themselves” ~Michael Kurcina.

It is rare to find a pistol that can be had for less than $500 with the same quality and performance of a pistol twice that price. The CZ P07 is one of these pistols that is making the competition sweat. With a Glock 19 overall size, it steps right in the way of the “compact” duty pistol market at a price that beats out the competition. Sure, it doesn’t have the entire aftermarket catering to turn it into a racegun. Sure, it isn’t the easiest gun to find parts and affordable magazines for. But this pistol was built to fight. Fighting pistols are like racing cars in that they don’t need bluetooth and radio controls at the drivers’ fingertips, but merely a fast and reliable engine, a solid body, and a user competent enough to run it to its’ full potential. After 10,000 rounds, the CZ P07 has become one of the most respected pistols in my collection, at least in its size class.

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History channel's "Hunting Hitler" co-star and retired Green Beret Dr. Mike Simpson joins John Valentine. Dr. Mike Simpson also gives his thoughts on appropriate approaches to health and safety. Follow our regular channel at Spotterup on YouTube, Follow our site at https://spotterup.com/ Follow on Instagram as https://www.instagram.com/spotterup/ Visit my store at https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/

Thanks to John for letting me interview him and allowing me to show off his military collection. John has been a collector for a good bit of time and he volunteers at the Virginia Military Museum of Military Vehicles, in Northern Virginia at Nokesville. He’s a retired vet and I appreciate his generosity. Preserving history is a passion for many. The ‘Tank Farm’ in Nokesville where he volunteers does a great job of introducing visitors to the history of vehicles, weaponry and men and women who have served in various positions to move our country forward. Among the military British Centurion and the Russian BMP fighting vehicles you can see as well the New York City Fire Department emergency response vehicle that was crushed when the South Tower tumbled to the earth on 9/11. It is important to honor those who serve and served and John loves what he does. John’s collection is very impressive. He pays his respects by collecting. Sure, he gets a thrill every time he looks at all his neat stuff but he also knows how important it is pass information down to others about what wars our country fought in, and why we were there. He must have thousands of items in his collection. Over the nearly 20 years, he has put together rifles, handguns, boots, stamps and more, into his collection. I think it’s important for us to take a look at the equipment that our fellow ‘brothers in arms’ carried. Much of what they carried was metal and it was heavy. The Browning Automatic Rifle was 19-24 lbs and the M1 Garand was 9.5-11.5 lbs; combine this with metal tins, shaving kits, rifle cleaning kits and other odd items and a typical soldier was weighed down quite a bit. From a tactical standpoint they carried stuff that could clank around and could give their position away. Even if they didn’t the gear was clumsy and cumbersome. Weaponry construction was sometimes crude, even by their mid-century standards. Take a look at the pronounced weld points on the British STEN guns. These were mass produced and really just look like hunks of metal pieced together. I was discussing the movie Fury with Alec, one of our writers. His father was a tanker and fought in WWII. He asked his Dad whether a tank would go solo like it did in the movie. His father had to consider it for a while before answering “Not likely. But it could happen. They usually defended one another and wouldn’t go solo.” He said. It’s interesting to think about warfare, tactics, and how they fared. A big thanks to John. I appreciate him opening up his collection for me and Spotter Up so we could post what his museum looks like online. It’s important to know where we came from and where we are going with regards to the equipment used.

Mike Green of Green Ops talks to Spotter Up host John Valentine about his custom built Sons of Liberty Gun Works Rifle. The M76LT is truly an incredible rifle with superior craftsmanship by the good folks at Sons of Liberty Gun Works. Follow them online @sonsoflibertygw or at www.sonsoflibertygw.com Mike served over 15 years in Special Forces, including three years as an Assaulter in a CINC’s In-extremis Force (CIF), focused on Direct Action & Counter Terrorism missions. He also served as an instructor for the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) Course where he taught Advanced Marksmanship and Close Quarters Combat (CQC) training courses. Mike is also a member of the pro staff for Sons of Liberty Gun Works. and a Modern Samurai Project endorsed Red Dot Pistol Instructor.

Here's an old video from 2018 that I reposted. it's from when my buddy Josh Shaw went to Matt's class. I removed the copyrighted music and replaced it. If I recall correctly, the majority of the students for that day were police officers, there was one former Green Beret and current GRS, and me (lol, watching on the sidelines running my yap.) Matt Larsen is the most successful hand-to-hand combat trainer and program developer inhistory, responsible for creating the combatives program currently used by the U.S. Army. For over three decades he has studied martial arts, earning black belts in several styles including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Larsen earned his BJJ black belt under Romero “Jacare” Cavalcante, leader of the most successful team in the history of the sport. Early in his career Larsen competed against fighters in many countries and many styles: the All Japan Karate Championship, Kodokan Judo in Tokyo and Okinawa, Muay Thai in Bangkok, Kali in the Philippines, Taekwondo in Korea, and boxing in the U.S. Marine Corps. Starting his military career in the U.S. Marine Corps, Larsen later joined the U.S.Army and eventually the ranks of the elite 75th Ranger Regiment. While there, he was called upon to design a hand-to-hand combat program which was quickly adopted by the entire Regiment. Over the next decade as part of Army Special Operations he became the subject matter expert on hand-to-hand combat. Larsen overhauled the Army’s hand-to-hand combat doctrine by rewriting theCombatives field manual – FM 3-25.150. Regarded as the father of the Modern Army Combatives Program (MACP), he founded the Army Combatives School and served as both its commandant and the director of the MACP from 2000 until 2010. During his military service Larsen saw combat in Panama and Iraq. Afterwards he worked as a private security contractor throughout Southwest Asia, the Middle East and Africa. He trained U.S. Marine Corps personal security detachments for deployment to Iraq, designed a Combatives system for the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, and consulted on the design of Combatives training systems for the U.S. Air Force, the British Royal Marines and the British Infantry. Matt is the author of “Modern Army Combatives: Battle-Proven Techniques and TrainingMethods” and he co-authored “Sniper: American Single-Shot Warriors in Iraq and Afghanistan." He currently resides in West Point, New York where he serves as the Director of the Combatives Department at West Point Military Academy.

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I’d like to clarify a few things before diving into a look at the 10.5″ pistol kit from Pickett’s Mill Armory. First, there is a significant difference between “as good as” and “good enough.” As good as is commonly used by people to justify spending less and telling themselves the quality of their purchase is equal to something with a much higher price tag. There is obvious fallacy to this, quality components constructed by companies with more stringent quality control measures and skilled armorers are guaranteed to produce a higher quality product, while also fetching a higher price. I’m not about to argue that the Pickett’s Mill Armory is as good as my Knight’s rifle, and I don’t think Pickett’s Mill expects their product to compete at that level. (read Ben Johnson's complete review at Spotterup.com) Book: We Fight Monsters https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/coll... Shirts: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/coll... The Saint Factory Shirts: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/coll... Playing Cards: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/coll... Wall Art: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/coll... Green Ops: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/coll... Flags and Patches: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/coll... Drinkware: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/coll... Headwear: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/coll... Stickers: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/coll...

PURCHASE: https://bit.ly/3kpWX2T Read my complete review at Spotterup.com Book: We Fight Monsters https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/books/products/copy-of-book-we-fight-monsters-signed-copy-with-stickers-2nd-edition Shirts: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/spotter-up The Saint Factory Shirts: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/the-saint-factory Playing Cards: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/playing-cards Wall Art: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/apparel Green Ops: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/green-ops Flags and Patches: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/patches Drinkware: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/drinkware Headwear: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/headware Stickers: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/stickers

The Gadget from Tau Development Group has been out of its testing phase and available to consumers for awhile now, but its something that isn’t extremely widely known or popular. If you carry a Glock regularly, this piece of hardware will give you additional peace of mind when re-holstering at a cost of $79. For people who carry a Glock, particularly inside-the-waistband, and even more so for those who carry at the appendix position, this device allows you to keep your thumb on the backplate of the slide and apply pressure to the striker–the same method used by carriers of hammer-fired guns. This mitigates the possibility of a negligent discharge while holstering in the case of your shirt getting caught in the trigger guard. It may not be for everybody, but i find the added control when re-holstering while training from the appendix-carry position to be worth the cost.

Cecil Burch of Immediate Action Combatives joins Spotter Up host John Valentine to discuss his life as a pioneer in Integrated Solutions training. Cecil Burch has been pursuing his passion for Martial Arts since he was 16. After studying Shotokan, Kenpo, and Tae Kwon Do, he moved to Jeet Kune Do and the Filipino Martial Arts under Dan Inosanto and Paul Vunak, where he undertook an-depth study of the combative use of the stick and knife along with empty hands training. Cecil was one of Vunak’s first certified Full Instructors. In 1990, he began extensive study in Savate under Salem Assli. He also spent time learning Muay Thai and has been asked to be an instructor in a number of different Pentjak Silat systems such as Tongkat, Mustika Kwitang and Bukti Negara. In 1994 he began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Megaton Dias. Cecil is currently a black belt under Megaton and has competed extensively, including the 2010 Pan-Ams as the Bronze Medalist (as a black belt), 2010 American Nationals Gold (black belt – heavyweight division) & Silver (absolute), 2009 American National Gold (brown belt – super heavyweight) & Silver medal (brown belt – absolute division), and the 2006 Pan-Am gold medal (purple belt – super-heavyweight), 2015 Pan-Ams at bronze, and 2015 World Masters at bronze. He has been training in boxing since 1987, where he started with Paavo Kettonen at Top Level Boxing in Phoenix, AZ. He has continued that training with some of the top striking coaches in the world, including such world class trainers as Adam Singer of The HardCore Gym (producer of numerous UFC fighters). Cecil has also been a firearms enthusiast all his life. He went through his first NRA course at the age of twelve. In 1985 he took the General Pistol class at Gunsite under Jeff Cooper and Louis Awerbuck. He has taken Combat Shotgun and Sub-Machine Gun seminars with Chuck Taylor. More recently, he has trained extensively with SouthNarc, as well as other luminaries like Tom Givens, Kyle Lamb and Larry Vickers. He has also competed in DCM rifle matches, GSSF events, and local practical shooting matches. Cecil has traveled extensively and conducted seminars across the U.S. as well as internationally in places like England and Singapore teaching the Immediate Action Combatives coursework. Cecil Burch has been a featured presenter at the Mid-Atlantic Training Conference, New England Shooter’s Summit, and the Rangemaster Polite Society Tactical Conference, and has worked extensively with Law Enforcement officers, Federal Air Marshals, military special operation troops, and private citizens on the functional utilization of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, boxing, and clinch fighting in close quarters combat. Follow online @immediateactioncombatives Spotter Up Host: @johnv_actual Support the show: https://bit.ly/37Gj7Hs Spotter Up Apparel and More: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/coll...

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I am placing my red dot at the 12 o clock, as opposed to canted offset, on most of my rifle setups now. This is one of the main reasons why. When engaging targets at distance, the 12oclock dot allows me the ability to quickly refine my sight picture with my LPVO as explained in the video. Leverage all the tools you’ve got to get the rounds on target quickly and accurately. LPVO - Primary Arms 1-6x24 second focal plane with ACSS reticle Mount - Reptilia AUS mount Red Dot - holosun HE507C-GR X2

Sean's newest movie is out. It's called Nefarious and it's doing well. Here's an interview we did with him in 2021. John Valentine and Michael Kurcina chat with famed actor, author, and martial artist, Sean Patrick Flanery. They discuss his life as an actor, navigating through Hollywood culture, why he became a writer, and his passion for martial arts. Sean is known for playing Connor MacManus in The Boondock Saints (1999) and its sequel The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009), Greg Stillson in the USA Network television series The Dead Zone, Jeremy "Powder" Reed in Powder (1995), Indiana Jones in the ABC television series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, as well as Bobby Dagen in Saw: The Final Chapter (2010). Sean is also known for his role as Sam Gibson on CBS's "The Young and the Restless in 2011." He starred in "Devil's Carnival," a short film screened on tour beginning in April 2012. In 2016. Sean published his first novel, "Jane Two," a coming-of-age story drawing inspiration from his childhood and early experiences. Book: We Fight Monsters https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/books/products/copy-of-book-we-fight-monsters-signed-copy-with-stickers-2nd-edition Shirts: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/spotter-up The Saint Factory Shirts: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/the-saint-factory Playing Cards: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/playing-cards Wall Art: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/apparel Green Ops: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/green-ops Flags and Patches: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/patches Drinkware: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/drinkware Headwear: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/headware Stickers: https://spotter-up.myshopify.com/collections/stickers

With all the ammunition manufacturers on the market today, it is very hard for new companies to come in and establish a reputation. There are so many well established companies with products that have been proven to work very well against human and animal attackers. This is the challenge that Browning is going to face now with their new BXP design. Browning entered the ammunition market in 2016 and released ammunition for both target shooting and self defense. They boast that their rounds are consistent and will be very good quality. From my brief experience with both their 9mm target and defensive options, the consistency and performance is very good. Their 9mm seems to be loaded very hot compared to many of the competitors, and the price is a little high for me to be a regular user. But I do appreciate their quality so far. Hopefully the price of their ammo will come down, or they will consider offering a less expensive alternative like an Aluminum or Steel cased option in the future.