What are the best training DVD's?

[DustyVermonter]

Does anybody know of any really good training DVD's?
I am talking about DVD's that cover all bases and in-depth detail.
To include:
Sniper training
Assault Rifle training
Defensive Handgun training
Tools of the trade
Tricks of the trade
Evasion/recon techniques
Defensive/Offensive
EVERYTHING!!!
Everything from cleaning tips,ballistics,optics,etc
As comprehensive as possible.
I don't care if its one DVD or a whole set or a list of 50 DVD's for that matter, any suggestions would be very helpful. I don't have cable and I don't really care for TV anyhow. Thank You

 

[basicblur]

Well, from a cheap SOB...

Lenny Magill has a sale on-5 DVDs for $79-you have 204 to choose from @ that price.

I once ordered 6 from him (with a free belly band) for $109 and was pretty pleased. The videos he produces with professional instructors are excellent-the ones he does himself can be a bit of hit or miss, but for new/intermediate shooters I'd have to say even the ones that are all Lenny are still not bad.

Just a few excellent ones I've seen (with Bill Wilson/Ken Hackathorn):
Night Master - Low Light Shooting Techniques
House Clearing & Cornering

The Truth About Point Shooting was interesting, but not in the same class as the Hackathorn/Wilson DVDs. The usual 'Net experts often debate the pros/cons-on the video they took a 'gal who had never shot a gun before and had her point shooting accurately pretty darn quick. Matter of fact, she was better at it than some of the experienced shooters who had never really tried it!

You can view snippets of some of his videos here.

They cover a wide range of topics, but I have the first 3 seasons of Tom Gresham's Personal Defense TV DVDs-his show is not on my cable network.

I was getting 'em delivered for under $20 each-still waiting on the price of season 4 to drop. I think folks are now selling multiple seasons grouped together, but don't know how the prices are-I just remember seeing 'em pop up a couple of weeks ago while I was searching for season 3.

PDTV is snippets covering a wide range-stuff like the Hackathorn/Wilson DVDs are pretty detailed, as they cover one subject.

 

[killchain]

I hear Magpul has been working on (maybe completed) a DVD on handgun training techniques. Little birdies tell me it's pretty darn good.

A good audiobook (I know it's not a DVD but I found it really useful) is Col. Grossman's "A Bulletproof Mind" which is about the psychological mindset and whatnot of a shooting situation. The lecture is more geared towards LEO, but it's got some good stuff in there.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Like basicblur mentioned Magill's site is good for inexpensive videos covering a broad range of topics.

Paladin Press - Various topics, many DVDs

Trainers:
Massad Ayoob - Mindset
Clint Smith - Firearms
Gabriel Suarez - Firearms
James Yeager - Firearms
Dog Brothers - Martial Arts

The above trainers all have training facilities, the DVDs are great, in person training is better.

Hope this helps.

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

One of the best reloading / handloading guides is still the double feature from Hornady, Joyce Hornady on Cartridge Reloading was shot in the 60s and is a bit campy at times, but still full of good advice. The other segment features Steve Hornady in a 80s vintage film that goes into a little more depth.

If you don't already reload, but are interested in it, the DVD is worth the 14 bucks Hornady charges for it.

KR

 

[kingpin008]

I REALLY like Clint Smith's DVDs. His teaching style is direct, to-the-point, and effective. No fancy or specialized techniques, just stuff that works.

 

[hso]

IMHO, videos on firearm care and maintenance skills are great, but a video on tactics and techniques should motivate you to go take a course.

 

[Sniper X]

Don'[t over look the videos still available from Gunsite, they are well done and great for new to seasoned shooters. We used the real Gunsite instructors for the on video instructors, they were a combination of iffy on camera (were NOT pro talent) but do the job well for the instructional part. I did or co did all the first series of tactical pistol, carbine sub gun edged weapons, shotgun, and so one. Also get Secrets of a professional shooter we alos did and I am even IN that video on the firing line and as a thug and driving the car.

 

[Rexster]

Magpul Dynamics DVDs are indeed quite good. I have seen training videos by Gunsite, Shivworks, and Louis Awerbuck that are also quite good.

As moderator hso indicated, you will NOT learn to really do all of this stuff by watching DVDs! A person who has taken good hands-on courses can use these DVDs to pick up tips and techniques, or to refresh one's memory. For example, if I had not trained with SouthNarc and Paul Gomez in the SHivowrks ECQC material, and Michael deBethencourt in his material, and Brian Hoffner, plus my PD training, the Magpul Dynamics DVDS would NOT have meant nearly as much to me when I saw them.

 

[possum]

magpuls dynamic handgun as well as carbine 1 and 2 are outstanding dvd's and i highly recoommend them.

additionally Tactical Response's Shooting missology is very good, production quality s nothing like the mag pul videos but there is alot of good info in there.

 

[strambo]

For carbine, the Magpul Dynamics ones are great. For unarmed or, I should say, not armed with a firearm combat, the Target Focus Training DVDs (link in signature) are the best I have encountered and I have a ton of hand to hand info from various sources with lots of live training. The Nuclear Weapons series will probably give you the most bang for the buck.

IMHO, videos on firearm care and maintenance skills are great, but a video on tactics and techniques should motivate you to go take a course.

I agree to a point. I have done a ton of training from videos and had good results both firearm and unarmed. The trick is...you actually have to train it! Watch the video multiple times, really grasp the concepts and principles. If you have a Q, watch it again and really listen (as opposed to looking) the answer is probably in there! If not, email and ask or find a forum for their product to ask. Then, pick a drill or 3, a technique or 3 and actually train it. I have found that after training on my own like this, then going to live training, I was about 90% right and just needed minor hands on tweaking. This was waaay better than no training and I was way ahead of those in attendance who hadn't trained at all. This goes for firearms and hand to hand.

disclaimer: I do get an affiliate commission on TFT products if you click the link which is why I didn't hyperlink in my post (kinda tacky). I have spent thousands of hours and dollars on this training and trusted my life to this info in 2 combat zones which is why I recommend them...and I need beer money!

 

[DustyVermonter]

Those are some really good suggestions and I am probably going to buy all of the afore mentionned DVD's. Also, does anybody have any experience with really good survival DVD's? Not specifically firearm,fighting techniques but more or less Rasputin,Mcguyver,surviving for two months in the jungle w/ a snickers and a swiss army knife sort of thing. P.S. Not Bear the survival guy or anything like that, I'm talkin full tilt, tried and true survival techniques. Ty

 

[Girodin]

the Target Focus Training DVDs (link in signature) are the best I have encountered and I have a ton of hand to hand info from various sources with lots of live training.

I have not seen the videos in question but I hope they are better than the impression I get from the pics on their website. For example the gentleman in the picture below should learn how to throw a knee. It looks like that is what he is attempting and it is horrible. The one in his trailer on the website was equally bad. The rest of that trailer was very uninspiring as well. I'd have to see more to pass final judgment but I'm highly dubious based on A) the video and pics on his sight B) the bullshido style marketing hype.

I particularly got a kick out of this gem:

Target Focus Training (TFT) lets you quickly stop any attacker dead in his tracks by inflicting crippling pain from injury to easily damaged body parts using simple, intuitive movements you can instantaneously do… even if you’re non-athletic, small or out-of-shape. (empahsis added)

If you believe that crap I have a bridge to sell you.

Tim Larkin, has been well known in the self defense & close-combat training world but ‘under-the-radar’ to ordinary folks like you. He’s the guy operations like the US Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces and the US Border Patrol call in behind-the-scenes to teach them when it’s “kill-or-be-killed.”

Hmmm well I actually know not only some people with those jobs (and not boarder patrol) but I also know guys who do train them. I'll ask about him.

That is the type of website that sets of the BS detector. Coupled with apparently not knowing how to even throw a proper knee it seems that much worse.

 

[LAK]

My first and favorite recommendation is not a dvd but a book;

The late Col. Cooper's "The Art of the Rifle".

It starts with rifle basics, and gunhandling, which is the solid foundation on which to build everything else. This is usually completely overlooked.

__________________________________

http://gtr5.com

 

[strambo]

B) the bullshido style marketing hype.

This marketing style was made popular by marketing guru Jay Abraham. Simply, it works and works well. Is it kinda annoying, especially to someone who knows something about the subject already? Yes.

Target Focus Training (TFT) lets you quickly stop any attacker dead in his tracks by inflicting crippling pain from injury to easily damaged body parts using simple, intuitive movements you can instantaneously do… even if you’re non-athletic, small or out-of-shape. (empahsis added)

Well, I read about a 17yo Indian girl who took on 2 AK wielding home-invaders...and triumphed, after they beat her dad to a pulp. She didn't have any training.

Here in OR a few years back, a past middle-aged, obese nurse was attacked by a man hired to kill her by her ex. As he beat her about the head and torso with a hammer....she strangled him to death. What training did she have? Was she stronger,faster, better than this guy? The 17 yo Indian girl, was she bigger, stronger than the 2 assault rifle armed invaders?

Bottom line is an injury (something is broken and doesn't work any more) stops "any" attacker...even heavyweight pro MMA fighters. Ever see a fight stopped for a finger in the eye? Now, getting the injury is the rub, that is on you. You don't have to be bigger, faster or stronger (unless you choose to go toe to toe and "fight" them.) You do have to use your body weight on a vulnerable part of their anatomy and drive through to break something.




If you are an entreprenuer, you know how hard it is to sell. If you are someone's employee, you may not understand. I have dabbled in my own business ventures, you basically have to choose between using effective marketing for your product and actually selling, or using non-"hype-y" marketing and starving.

Besides; why does the self defense industry seem to get trashed for this, but everything else gets pass? If you are buying car wax: "The absolute best car wax on the planet!! Guaranteed to make your car look shiny new in only 2 applications or your money back" Do you roll your eyes, put it back on the shelf and decide you want a less hype-y bottle?(I get the scale is bigger, training to save your life vs. car wax...but still who is gonna buy the "I've got a good system to probably help you stay alive", even if it is absolutely the best thing out there?

Coupled with apparently not knowing how to even throw a proper knee

Well, his credentials are on his site, I could ask what yours are since in order to place any credence in your critique (he doesn't know how to throw a knee) we have to assume lots of competence/experience on your part not in evidence (or make our own judgment based on our experience and the photo, unless we have none).

I am going to assume you know a lot, because to make it about one background vs another is a red herring that will not further the discussion.

So: what exactly makes that an "improper" knee? Why is it improper and what would proper look like?

As an aside, it is extremely difficult to judge anything off of still photos...heck MMA fighters don't always look so hot, mid-strike when you pause the video.

I really would like an objective discussion of the knee though, I'm not being smart a@#, I'm here to discuss strategies and tactics, I take it seriously.

Last thing, if it was over-hyped BS, they probably wouldn't have lasted long...they have an unconditional 365 day $ back guarantee and will refund the live training fee after you've taken the course as well for any reason. Though it is possible they just sell to schmucks like me who don't know any better and would be happy with "Ninja training" also...I'll give you that...

 

[Rail Driver]

I don't know a lot about marketing, or hype, or any of that crud, but I know a bit about training... The absolute BEST set of training dvds are the set you participate in making. Why? Because you actually got the training and didn't watch someone else on TV doing it.

Training implies a Trainer and a Trainee, and 2 way communication. That simply isn't possible when your TV is your trainer.

Training based on DVDs is inherently flawed because there's nobody there to show you what you're doing wrong and correct you. When learning a new skill you're guaranteed to mess it up at least once. Without a trainer there, you're likely doing nothing but training yourself in bad habits, ineffective techniques and/or improper techniques that could leave you injured or dead if employed in a live self defense situation.

DVDs can be effective if you have a SECURE BASE OF ACTUAL TRAINING (emphasis intended) but if they're your ONLY training there's a problem.

 

[strambo]

DVDs can be effective if you have a SECURE BASE OF ACTUAL TRAINING (emphasis intended) but if they're your ONLY training there's a problem.

That's a very good point. I would add though that even DVD only training is better than nothing. Think of it this way: if a gunman started shooting up the classroom you were in, would you be better off with: no gun, a gun with no training, or a gun with training based on a DVD and practicing only?

My contention is you are way better off (and anyone else in the classroom) with you having a gun, even with no training at all. Any training will just add to that. How messed up would you have to be to get worse than with no training? Plenty of people survive horrific acts of violence with no training at all (not recommended!), any training, even if 50% less effective will still only add to their survival chances. Learning just one concept (like moving off the "X") could save their life, even if they fumble the draw and miss the first shot!

Live training is best and serves as a great foundation to then add new techniques to that solid foundation.

 

[Rail Driver]

The first problem I see is that with dvd only training, one could be led to believe that they're fully prepared to face a situation (which brings us back to marketing).

I have seen people in the past react to situations VERY badly because of self training based on DVD/VHS.

To go back to your classroom example, the guy with the dvd training is going to be much more confident in his self-taught skills and may decide to act (ie, shoot/attack the assailant, etc) and get himself killed or injured in the process.

This isn't to say that dvds are completely useless... They can help with a lot of things, such as (like HSO said) gun cleaning, equipment, history, etc... DVDs can also help with mindset and the "warrior mentality" but they simply can't be an effective substitute for live training. They don't sit you down in front of a TV in the US Army until it's time to learn history.

 

[Cosmoline]

I've found the most use out of the "back to basics" videos. I recently picked up this one from the Marines:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=878777

Also, I found a free WWII video along similar lines I've posted a thread on. These are fantastic for reminding you how to assume the various stances and approach the basics of marksmanship. Refinement and application are more difficult to convey through video, but the fundamentals are the key anyway.

 

[strambo]

To go back to your classroom example, the guy with the dvd training is going to be much more confident in his self-taught skills and may decide to act (ie, shoot/attack the assailant, etc) and get himself killed or injured in the process.

It doesn't matter, the assailant is executing people ala "Virginia Tech". Or, you are being robbed and murdered. In a true violent situation, they are trying to kill you anyway. Confidence and action (even false confidence and poor action) isn't gonna help them kill you dead-er. If it is a situation you could have avoided or dis-engaged from, you should. I find it hard to believe a person with false-confidence would choose to engage in an avoidable, horrific, life or death situation. If they do...natural selection applies.

If it was avoidable...they should have avoided it. If it is un-avoidable, there is nothing to lose. Sounds like the anti-gunner argument of not having a gun because it can be used against you, or you aren't trained like the police, or it will only make them mad if you fight back.

Live training is absolutely the best though...no question.

 

[Rail Driver]

It doesn't matter, the assailant is executing people ala "Virginia Tech". Or, you are being robbed and murdered. In a true violent situation, they are trying to kill you anyway. Confidence and action (even false confidence and poor action) isn't gonna help them kill you faster. If it is a situation you could have avoided or dis-engaged from, you should. I find it hard to believe a person with false-confidence would choose to engage in an avoidable, horrific, life or death situation. If they do...natural selection applies.

If it was avoidable...they should have avoided it. If it is un-avoidable, there is nothing to lose. Sounds like the anti-gunner argument of not having a gun because it can be used against you, or you aren't trained like the police, or it will only make them mad if you fight back.

Live training is absolutely the best though...no question.

False confidence in incomplete training could easily lead someone into acting to stop something rather than avoiding the situation as it should be.

Aside from the reasons I gave for someone to NOT rely on dvd training as their ONLY method of training, you seem to agree with what I'm saying while grasping at straws and equating my argument with anti-gun arguments and that is simply not the case.

Making the wrong move in any SD/VA Tech/Convenience store robbery situation CAN and often DOES mean the difference between life and death, or grievous injury. Training is like going to the hardware store to buy some new tools for your toolbox... I don't know about you, but when I'm fixing the brakes I'd like to have access to an entire toolbox rather than just a screwdriver and a wrench just the same as if I were to find myself in a VA Tech or robbery or similar situation, I'd rather have as many tools as I can get, instead of being limited to dvd "training" and a gun. For those who are satisfied with nothing more than a few dvds and a gun... well... Natural selection still works most of the time.

In the event that it's a situation where there's "nothing to lose" as per your example, training is irrelevant anyway, wouldn't you say?

 

[strambo]

First, remember the OP is specifically asking about DVDs not live training. No one is contending that live training is not ideal. We are just discussing the relative merits of DVD training.

In the event that it's a situation where there's "nothing to lose" as per your example, training is irrelevant anyway, wouldn't you say?

Why would training be irrelevant? It could never be more relevant. I'm a multi-tour combat vet who started out in the 75th Ranger RGT. Who would have a better chance in a VT type scenario, me or someone with no training?

Training doesn't mean you survive, it just increases your odds. I have also been a security contractor in Iraq...the 4 Blackwater guys were very highly trained (most, if not all, former SEALs), another guy (who I have a security DVD from ;-) was former Delta and killed in Iraq. It happens, but by and large, our highly trained soldiers (to say nothing of our extremely trained SOCOM operators) absolutely dominate the battlefield and hand the enemy their lunch in engagement after engagement (toppling country after country no less).

Bottom line: most gun owners don't get any training a all, they just go "plinking" once in a while. But, if you read the NRA magazine reports of defensive firearms use, there are usually about 10 stories of successful use, sometimes against bad odds. Most of those people plrobably have little or no training. How much better would their chance be (how many more "good" stories would they have) if every gun owner had at least 1 defensive type shooting course?

What would VT have gone down like with a student CCW even un-trained? The worse case scenario on the whole is the same, for the individual, yes he might be killed where he could have cowered and hid and survived. If he had training, his odds go up (and everyone else's) significantly.

My favorite stories are one like the Indian girl, horrible odds, no training, survival. If she can do it I can (but no guarantees, see comment about killed contractors above).

My training and experience increases my survival odds...but I can be killed by a 14yo gang-banger, even with his bare hands, any day of the week. My body breaks like anyone else's and vulnerable anatomy doesn't care how trained the brain controlling it is.

If someone would recklessly engage when they had a better choice, this isn't a poor training issue, but a poor thinking issue that won't be fixed by better training. This includes the Blackwater incident, if you know anything about it...I'll not comment further to avoid the drift and seeming to criticize those brave warriors.

 

[Cosmoline]

False confidence in incomplete training could easily lead someone into acting to stop something rather than avoiding the situation as it should be.

There's no guarantee AT ALL that live training won't do this either. Indeed plenty of instructors out there give dangerously incorrect legal advice, causing hesitation and in the worst case WARNING WORDS that can and will get you killed.

But I would agree that there's no ultimate substitute for drills that replicate scenarios, so you can use all senses and muscle memory.

 

[Girodin]

simply, it works and works well. Is it kinda annoying, especially to someone who knows something about the subject already? Yes.

Its not merely annoying it is lying. Its not mere puffery or opinion like "worlds best car wax". Rather it is a statement that is completely untrue. You really think someone with that type of training can stop any attacker? Send out a 120 lbs woman I'll send the 270 lbs Somoan I trained. How is that going to go?

As to why does the car wax does not get critiqued like the self defense industry. I'm going to guess it is because people aren't staking their life on their car wax. There is a difference between buying crappy car wax that doesn't live up to its advertising and buying self defense training that doesn't deliver (and cost 100x as much to boot).

Bottom line is an injury (something is broken and doesn't work any more) stops "any" attacker...even heavyweight pro MMA fighters. Ever see a fight stopped for a finger in the eye?

Depends on what is broken and how badly. I have personally watched people keep fighting with what turned out to be pretty serious injuries (broken bones, dislocated shoulders, torn ligaments and very recently a kid that injured his testicle in a way that required surgery). Some people will stop for pain reasons others only if they physically cannot continue. Citing an MMA guy who stops because he gets poked in the eye is a poor example of how that would cause "anyone" to stop. They could be lobbying for the ref to take a point they also know the ref will step in and give them repose and there is a lot of money on the line so why try to fight with a poked eye if you can take a moment to fully recover. You think soccer players getting tapped on the legs are as disabled as they are acting?

I think I know a thing or two about how to throw knees. I have about 10 yrs of experience in Muay thai. I've fought muay thai fights, I've trained fighters up to the pro level. I've trained and learned to knee from the likes of Sakasem Fairtex (who put Danny Steele in the hospital for four days with knees), Bunkerd, Saekson, Matee, etc. I consider fighting in the clinch to be my personal strong point in Muay Thai. I've broken three (that I know of) different peoples ribs with knees.

Whats wrong with that knee?

For starters he is flat on his foot and is getting (or got or will get) zero drive with his hips. He has no thrust and with where it is at cannot get any meaningful thrust because it is already making contact. You don't throw a knee by picking your leg up anymore than you throw a punch by pushing your arm out or just swinging your arm. He throws knees just by lifting and swinging his leg. There is a fraction of the power on a knee like that as there could be. Also there is no up side in terms of speed or control to doing it that way. It is simply a less effective and put bluntly an incorrect way to do it.

I was trying to locate a video explaining knees on youtube but the ones I saw weren't great. Razor's is the best I saw with a quick search but I think he needs to get up on his support leg more which gives more power. Around 3:40 he is doing it more but he doesn't do it at the beginning or explain it.

As an aside, it is extremely difficult to judge anything off of still photos...heck MMA fighters don't always look so hot, mid-strike when you pause the video.

MMA fighters with notable exception almost never look so hot during their striking because most have very poor striking. There are the notable exceptions (and many come from a striking background). I'll grant you a still picture is not always the best judgment but then again he did it the same way in the video trailer on his sight. The knee he does in the video is really bad. I might think that he was showing how not to do it except why would you put that in your promo material.

Last thing, if it was over-hyped BS, they probably wouldn't have lasted long..

I don't know about that. There are plenty of BS martial arts schools that have been in business for decades. Heck, Sylvia Brown is still in business after all these years. Being over hyped BS doesn't assure your failure.

 

[Girodin]

Again I would like to reiterate I am not making a final judgment on those videos, only on the ethics of their marketing and the pictured knee and the one on the video. I'd have to see much more of it to say more.