Sure Shots Magazine

ARCHIVE - ISSUE SIX- JAN 2014 COVER - FEATURED PICTORIAL - TRAINING - REVIEWS ARCHIVE - ISSUE SIX- JAN 2014

by Marielle Deckard

I’ve been around pistols, rifles and shot guns since I was teenager. My best friends’ family are avid hunters and fishers, so along I went to join the fun. That’s about all I knew, the fun. I was handed a rifle when a deer crept up and I got to shoot. Still lots of fun!

Years, later as I grew older and wiser, I knew I had to learn more than just here it is, shoot. My husband’s pistol wasn’t going to do be any good if I didn’t have a clue what to do with it. All I wanted to know was how to load a gun and shoot if I needed to protect myself or my children in my home.

I was intrigued by Austin Sure Shots because an old school friend posted pictures of her targets from practice at the range, lots of ladies, every with huge smiles and lots of holes in paper. I kept posting on her page that I’d join her next practice, ok maybe the next practice, ok next time.

Sure Shots was way out of my comfort zone and I was very hesitant. When Sure Shots announced that they were starting to practice at Red’s North, 5 minutes from my house, I knew it was time to come out of my shell at least just a bit.

August 15, 2011, alone, I nervously walked in the doors of Red’s and the first person I saw was a tall blonde with a huge smile who welcomed me and guided me through the check in process, I met Niki! I explained that this was my first time to even handle the pistol I’d borrowed from my husband. I was given a safety training and was accompanied out onto the range. That first shot was empowering. Yes, empowering from the adrenaline you feel but also from the fact that I did it myself! The whole process all done by me, I took out the pistol, I loaded it myself, I actually knew if it was on safety or not, I took the shot!

After several rounds, I was done on the range and joined everyone in the lobby. Ladies from all walks of life, everyone smiling, everyone sharing why they were there, showing off their targets, everyone so welcoming and all so excited to be there! It was a great evening and one that changed a part of me.

Yes, I walked in those doors at Red’s to join the Sure Shots with a goal of ‘just to learn about the pistol in my home to protect myself and my children if the situation arose’. Well…2 ½ years later, I’ve learned so much more, personal self defense, situational awareness, trusting my gut and that I do have it in me to step outside my comfort zone.

Here are some of the courses and matches I've participated in to date:

•Blackstone Defensive Tactics Course

•Blackstone Pistol 1

•Precision Rifle Enthusiast Long Range Clinic

•Sure Shots AR-15 Build Project

•Austin HotShots Shotgun Course

•Steel Challenge Match

AR-15 Build Project

The Sure Shots AR-15 Build Project is an ongoing project where the ladies of the Sure Shots build our own rifles—basically, our "dream guns". The infamous Snow Queen was the very first AR15 build, by Sure Shots founder Niki Jones.

Lightweight 16" Moly barrel, free-floated and coated
POF railed hand guard, coated
Battle Comp compensator
Spikes lower, coated
Rainier Raptor charging handle
NIB Bolt Carrier Group
Ergo Stock
MagPul Grip
Troy Foregrip
MagPul BAD Lever
MagPul Rail Sling Attachment
MagPul Gen III Sling
Troy BUIS
AImpoint Pro red dot optic
Surefire Mini-Scout M300A

Spotlight on a Sure Shot

This issue's Spotlight is
on Sure Shot Tiffany Gordon!

Y'all probably recognize Sure Shot Tiffany Gordon right off the bat—she is our Issue 4 cover girl! She's also a Senior at Texas State University.

This talented Sure Shot is currently working on her thesis called "Let Them Eat Cake". Tiffany makes clothing to hold a visual memory of a specific event in history of a specific person, which she likes to call "conceptual clothing".

Tiffany explains, "This is a memory that is embedded in a piece of clothing that is to show of the time period. It is to capture a moment in history of the feelings that the person (Marie Antoinette) went through and how she felt at the time. My work deals with the human body and my love of corsets. My goal is to combine my two fields metal and paper making together in harmony and create a piece of art that has visual interest, a narrative and is also wearable. My interest in clothing and corsets deals with the human body as a place to adorn for historical reference juxtaposed with symbolical imagery and craftsmanship. My pieces are constructed to be worn and to fit me specifically. I am interested in the period around the French revolution. Royalty such as Mary Queen of the Scots, the Tudor dynasty and my favorite, Marie Antoinette and Versailles, has always inspired me. With my earlier work, I was influenced by the people of this time period because of this time of opulence. I was intrigued with the motifs, architecture, décor, and above all the craftsmanship of the area. My most recent series, called "Let Them Eat Cake", is a direct outcome from my visit to Versailles. I was influenced by the palace, gardens and from Marie Antoinette's estate. I am in the process of creating three wearable dresses that represent these places. The fourth dress will represent the people's uprising and the burning of Versailles. I wish to show the obliviousness that Marie Antoinette had to what was happening to her country".

You can see more of Tiffany's work at tiffanygordon.com.

Women in the Industry

This month in our spotlight of Women in the Industry, we would like to introduce you to the owner of Jade Shooting Supplies KELLY CHI. Kelly is just one of the many amazing women who contribute to our shooting community.

SSM: Please tell us a little about your company, Jade Shooting Supplies

Kelly: Jade Shooting Supplies is a web store that sells shooting and firearms-related gear and accessories with a focus on products for women.

SSM: How long has your company been in business?

Kelly: Jade Shooting Supplies was established in October 2011.

Now there's a happy girl on the range

SSM: So your business is relatively young! Have you always been involved in the shooting/tactical/firearms community?

Kelly: I was introduced to shooting and firearms by a couple of friends. After a friend took me to the range a few times, something kind of “clicked” inside and I became hooked. I purchased my first gun, signed up for a basic rifle and pistol course and started shooting recreationally on my own. After a little while I was looking for something new, challenging and different. That was when I discovered and started participating in shooting sports like USPSA, IDPA and GSSF.

SSM: Isn't it amazing when it just "clicks" and you get hooked? Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

Kelly: I was born in Taiwan and came to the United States with my family when I was a year old. I moved around a bit during my childhood, going from New York to Illinois to California. I’ve been living in the San Francisco Bay Area for the last 13 years. After high school, I went to college at University of California, Berkeley majoring in Mass Communications. After graduating college, I worked in the web technology field and was a web developer for a few years prior to Jade. In addition to shooting, my other loves in life are fitness, yoga, food and my dog Crème.

SSM: What made you choose to start Jade?

Kelly: After purchasing my first gun, I was looking for accessories that were more feminine, “girly” and unique, as a way to put a personal touch on my new favorite hobby. When I looked around on the internet I didn’t find too much out there. I decided I wanted to try to find and seek out specific products, and build an online store where other women who were in the same boat could find the gear and accessories they wanted.

SSM: What is the best part of your job?

Kelly: One of the best parts has been the people I’ve been privileged to meet. Through Jade, I’ve met and become friends with some really awesome, amazing people in the shooting industry and community; people who are truly innovative, talented, incredible and inspiring. I also love when my customers are happy! I enjoy receiving feedback and messages from people who love what they got and who I was able to help in any way, such as providing information or with finding what they were looking for. I also like that Jade has provided me with a way to help share information about firearms and shooting sports to people who are not that familiar. Most people I am not well acquainted with are surprised to hear about my business and that I love shooting. Sometimes they’re curious, they see the products and find them interesting, and they want to learn more.

SSM: Have there been any lessons has your work life taught you?

Kelly: Definitely. I’ve learned about many aspects of business including communication, research and marketing as well as time management, discipline and prioritizing. I’m learning new things every day.

SSM: That's fantastic! So, if you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?

Kelly: My mother. She is confident, hard-working, has extensive knowledge and experience in business and is also an entrepreneur. In many ways, she already is my mentor. She has provided me with advice, answered all kinds of questions and has been very supportive of me throughout this venture.

SSM: That's a great answer, and awesome to hear. Switching gears a bit now… What is your primary weapon and why?

Kelly: My Glock 22. This was the gun that I first learned to shoot with, the first gun I purchased and the gun I currently use in competition. I feel very comfortable with it, and it’s been very reliable for me. It’s my baby.

SSM: What are some important lessons you have learned while running Jade?

Kelly: The importance of balance between your work and personal life. Along those lines is recognizing and preventing burn out, and taking the time to rest and relax when you need to, and recharge the batteries.

SSM: That's a great lesson! What do our readers have to look forward to in the future from Jade?

Kelly: New products! This includes an expansion in the variety of products currently available as well as completely new types of items that are not currently offered. I also have ideas and upcoming projects in mind, including collaborations with other friends and partners in the industry. It’s difficult to say exactly what the future holds, but I’m very much looking forward to it!

SSM: What is the best shooting advice you have been given that you feel might be important to share with our readers?

Kelly: Dryfire. Dryfire is something that helped me a lot when I first started learning to shoot, and helps me now to prepare for a match.

For example, I remember when I first started shooting, I had a problem with recoil anticipation. Many of my shots were ending up towards the bottom left. My friend pointed out to me that I was dipping the gun slightly right before it fired, resulting in the groups landing where they were. After he pointed it out, I noticed myself doing it too. I started dry firing regularly and saw a lot of improvement.

SSM: Where do you see Jade in 5 years?

Kelly: I would love Jade to be the store people think of when looking for women’s firearms-related and shooting gear. I want Jade to grow big, with a greatly expanded offering of products while continuing to maintain the same high level of customer care and service.

SSM: That's a great goal, and we're confident you and Jade will achieve it! And for our final question… If you could be any character in a movie to be who would it be & why?

Kelly: Sarah Connor in Terminator 2. She’s strong, tough, prepared for anything and an all around bad-ass!

For more information on Jade Shooting Supplies you can visit them on Facebook or on their website at jadeshooting.com.

In the Bag (or, My Obsession with Conceal Carry Handbags) by Carrin Welch

I really love getting a new handbag, almost as much as new shoes. They're one of those things that you can spend a little or you can spend a lot, and still end up with something that you will use all the time… and a handbag will never end up on a shelf with your "fat clothes" or "skinny clothes". While I prefer to carry my gun on my body, sometimes I choose to wear clothing that doesn't allow for proper concealment, making it necessary to carry in my purse. Since becoming one of the 500,000+ Texans with a conceal carry permit, my handbag shopping experience has changed. I used to be able to just pick up any bag that winked at me, but now I have very specific requirements.

There is a budding industry of handbags made specifically for conceal carry. They range in price from $50-$1000. They usually have sturdy pockets with velcro holsters, some have lockable pockets, and some even offer replacements if you ever have to shoot through your purse. But you can find a lot of purse options at the same places you usually shop; you just have to look for a few specific details:

• A bag with some structure to it

• A bag that is comfortable while walking, and provides ease of access

• A pocket that is big enough for your gun, where your gun can be quickly accessed and will not get hung up

• An appropriate holster that will keep your gun protected, yet still allow you to pull it out quickly (and allow you to shoot through it)

I made a trip to the mall and found some perfect options in different styles, and at different costs. Click on the photos on the left to see what I've found.