Cruel Hand Luke

Two semesters of ROTC:D. Just kidding. I never served in the military.

Since 2005. Gabe was just beginning to expand the operation and I talked to him about it. He told me to come to his Ultimate Combat Skills Week class in Atlanta and after the class he said, "You're in if you want in". I had been teaching CCW classes for better part of 10 years, but really didn't feel that was enough to be teaching folks about interpersonal conflict. I took a "medical care under fire" course and all the gun knife and stick stuff I could fit in and Tom Givens's instructor development course (I did 13 classes in 13 months at one point) all so I would be able to better help the students understand how things all fit together in context. I don't teach people how to win IDPA matches (though I can if that is what interests them) I teach them to win fights. The person is the weapon, the gun is just an efficient accessory. But still just an accessory. And there are circumstances related to distance where the gun is NOT the best choice. That is how I see it anyways. Mindset then tactics then skill THEN equipment. But know how to use all the equipment-empty hands,stick,knife,pistol ,rifle, shotgun,(SMG,belt fed MG:devil:) and even improvised weapons. Just because I can't carry a weapon into somewhere doesn't mean I am totally unarmed. It is the Warrior mindset, not the shooter mindset.A warrior will fight with any tool he can lay hands on. A shooter only learns the gun...... Probably a longer answer than you were looking for, but I'm feeling long winded today:D.

I generally shoot my carry gun in SSP and ESP. Glock 34 with Trijicon sights. Use Blade Tech IWB holster and Blade tech single mag pouches with Tek Lok. If I shoot CDP I use my Wilson 1996A2 (essentially a CQB) with Wilson "Night Eyes" sights. I shoot matches dressed just like I dress for work. Untucked polo shirt or untucked button down shirt, pistol, spare mag, knife, windlass tourniquet in my back pocket, cell phone. I can't really remember the last time I shot a match with an OWB holster and a vest.I just don't wear that stuff on a daily basis so I'd rather practice with what I DO wear. I'm real big on streamlining practice/training. I don't like to use "match guns" and wear "match clothes" or "school clothes". I shoot what I carry, how I actually carry it. NOT that there is anything wrong with OWBs and vests, I just choose not to use them since I don't wear them anywhere else.

Thanks guys! I don't really know how "expert" my opinions are, but I'm not bashful about sharing them.

Hey guys. My name is Randy Harris. I am a staff instructor for Suarez International and state certified ccw instructor at Sportsman's Supply in Chattanooga. I shoot IDPA, 3 gun, Cowboy action, Subgun, and about any kind of "action shooting" match I can find in this area. I work for a shooting sports wholesaler and spend most of my free time reading history,biographies,lifting weights and training in knife, gun, stick and combatives and hanging out with my wife. I have trained with Gabe Suarez, Southnarc and Paul Gomez, Tom Givens, Tom Sotis, Marc Denny,Ian Mcdevitt (medic skills class) , Henk Iverson and William Aprill. I look forward to hanging out here and keeping up with what is going on around the state. Glad to be here!

I teach classes for Suarez International offering them in Chattanooga. I teach The Defensive Pistol Skills, Close Range Gunfighting, Defensive Rifle Skills, and Shotgun Gunfighting classes. Class descriptions and sign up info available at www.suarezinternational.com I am also hosting Tom Givens from Rangemaster for his Dynamic Marksmanship class June 30/July1 (sign up through www.rangemaster.com) and Sonny Puzikas is coming in October to do the Kalashnikov Gunfighting class on Oct 6 and 7. I use a private range just across the border in Ringgold Ga. It has 6 side by side shooting bays 30 yards deep by 20 yards across divided by berms on the sides and a berm downrange. I also teach the Tennessee CCW class at Sportsman's Supply in Hixson Tn.