Ever wonder what it would be like to attend a seminar on firearms tactics, unarmed and knife combatives at a private facility that does not usually allow civilians to train there???

If you ever have, then stop daydreaming long enough check out the "Inside the Crucible" series from Paladin Press.  On them you will see exactly what it was like for a small group of people attending a multi-day seminar with Kelly McCann at the Crucible training facility!

This video set was filmed live, which is always a test of someone's ability to teach, and throughout the series McCann proves to be an excellent instructor.  His presentation is simultaneously relaxed yet incredibly thorough.  The live seminar nature of the tape allows the viewer to learn both with the class and from the class as McCann corrects mistakes they make and we get to see them doing the drills he presents.  McCann's very down-to-earth explanations of how and why to do things as well as obvious skill in the subject combine to make learning even difficult techniques a process that can be repeated reliably.

With each new skill, McCann demonstrates stressing efficiency of movement and deliberate action, doing the right things in the right sequence smoothly.  "Slow is Fast" is the lesson here.  "It's not just about making it go bang!" McCann quips at one point.  He shoots each stage as well, clearly showing his expertise and giving the viewer something to strive for in terms of performance.

This is good, because a lot of ground is covered in these videos!  Most of the work is handgun related, with tape number 3 being the exception.  This volume covers hand to hand and knife combatives.  The other four tapes in the set cover everything from the basics of how to draw the pistol to advanced clearing and reloading drills while on the ground to how to shoot while exiting a vehicle.

Without going into the details on each tape here (see the Paladin Press website for a breakdown of what is on each specific volume) they are all the same production-wise.  Like usual from Paladin, the tapes have very clean picture and sound and are professionally produced, with good use of graphics and music as needed.

On each volume in the series, McCann breaks down the material in a step-by-step manner for easy learning.  Friends, it does not get any easier than this...do what the nice man says and you will develop the skills he shows!  There are no theatrics or posturing in McCann's delivery, just "how it gets done" from a man who knows.  Step one, step two, step three - get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Bottom line?  If you want to learn realistic close range pistol tactics then you will want check out this series.  There are dozens and dozens of specific drills presented to develop your skills, all clearly explained and demonstrated by an expert.  If you can't learn from these tapes you are simply not trying.  There is material here for shooters of all levels, starting from the basics and quickly progressing.

(Conversely, if you do not care about handguns, probably give these tapes a skip except for number three which covers knife and unarmed combatives.)

Some may wonder how this video series compares to Kelly McCann's earlier Defensive Shooting tape set that he put out under his other name, Jim Grover.  Having seen both, I feel the Crucible series is the better of the two and covers almost all of the same information that was on the earlier Defensive Shooting series.  The earlier Defensive Shooting series is still very good, don't get me wrong, but if you had to choose between them I would say to get the Crucible tapes instead.

The Inside the Crucible Videos Available From Paladin Press - Click HERE