Aim and Focus Karate

Tang Soo !!!! It's always fun to spend time with Sa Bom Nim Kopf. He and Sa Bom Nim Nunan joined me today at Shady Oaks Gun Range for some pistol fun. It was great spending time with these two outstanding Master Instructors.

They enjoyed shooting a variety of different pistols (CZ P10C, CZ Shadow 2 Compact, S&W M&P 2.0 Compact, C**t Python .357, G***k 34 and FN 509 MRD. Sa Bom Nim Nunan spent a good amount of time with his CZ P10C (and did rather well). Sa Bom Nim Kopf preferred the S&W M&P 2.0.

They put 300 rounds of 9mm downrange and 50 rounds of .38 (in the Python). Sa Bom Nim Nunan did shoot the Python with .357 rounds and commented it was Kyo Sa Nim Cheek's favorite gun of mine. ;-)

I have to mentioned...whenever Sa Bom Nim Kopf is in town, I have to get out the high capacity magazines (he lives in CT). He happily put rounds downrange using 21 round magazines in the G***k and S&W.

Note to self...maybe it's time for a 50 round drum....just a thought....they do make a 100 round drum....

It was great to spend time together.

I'm a huge fan of "aim small, miss small"...so I like to focus on small targets when I'm working trigger press (not tactical shooting where down 0 is good enough).

I started with two 1" circles and pushed the target out to 10 yds. First drill was press out and take one shot. Move between the targets with each shot. Then...press out, double tap. Move between targets. Finally, double tap one target and then immediately move to the other, double tap. Removing the target circle was the goal...not a super tight group.

I try to go faster and faster until I start seeing the outliers...then I back it down just a bit.

This was a 250 round drill and it worked out nicely. I was shooting my EDC (Gen 6 G***k 45 -- 9mm). I'm slowing crossing over to the dark side and becoming a "G***k guy". So much so that my Staccato P now has a new home (it will one day be the duty weapon of a local LE officer...where it should be).

Note: my travel truck gun is an AR9 that takes G***k mags....now everything runs the same mags.

For new shooters, this drill works nicely at closer ranges. Maybe start at 3 yds or 5 yds. Increase distance slowly without opening up your group. If the group opens up, move back closer until things tighten up again.

I saw a drill online today that I'll try soon. Three rows of 1 inch squares. Shooting from only 4 yds, put 1 round in each square across the top row (5 squares). Move to the second row, double tap each square. Finally , move to the third row and triple tap each square. Push speed until each shot doesn't hit the square to set your upper limit. The "run" is only good if you hit a square each time. I'll post results soon.....even if they "need work". ;-)

We must always be respectful to the older folks in our communities. We often owe them the freedoms we enjoy today.

I remember several years ago walking into a promotion class at Master Riley's school. I noticed an elderly couple making their way to the door. I slowed my pace so I reached the door right before them...I stepped to the side and opened the door. The man wore a WWII Veteran hat...my dad was also a WWII combat veteran...I respectfully thanked him for his service. He smiled and said "thank you". Later that evening I learned he was an Iwo Jima veteran. He experienced the true horror of combat.

I often trained at my instructor's school in Pittsburgh. One of the senior Master Instructors is a quiet humble teacher. I once heard another Black Belt complain his classes were "slow paced and he wasn't a very motivating teacher". I always enjoyed training with the quiet Master and later learned he was a Vietnam Tunnel Rat. He truly understands martial arts and brought a level of focus and discipline that I've rarely ever seen before.

Today I was waiting to conduct an LTC qualification at a local gun range. I noticed an older gentleman get out of his Jeep and make his way to the front door. I noticed "Naval Academy" on his licensed plate...DV also on the plate...Vietnam era patch on his gun bag...trident tattoo on his arm. It hit me hard...he was a Vietnam era "frogman" (Navy SEAL). I quietly asked him "sir...you're an original frogman"...he smiled and replied "Yes I am". He mentioned he'd just turned 80 and had a body full of "after market" parts. When the door opened to enter the range, he stepped aside to let me pass, I instead held the door for him. He said "thank you" and I said "no sir, thank you". He smiled and walked into the range. He was one of the very first Navy SEALs...I mentioned that to him....he commented "all my teammates are dead now". He and those teammates set a standard that is still honored today.

In today's world we often focus on the youngest, strongest, fastest, prettiest, etc....and these things are important but we must never diminish the accomplishments of those older folks that made today's world possible.

That 80 year old man has done more "tough things" than the younger loud mouth bullies we often hear about.

Just be respectful....

We are processing suppressor sales (starting today) using the new 4473 process. I've attached a post from Educated Arms (where I work). The suppressors will sell out very quickly...more are on the way but the demand will be high !!!

After referencing the ruling issued by the Judge and referencing Silencer Shop’s memos and dealer notices we will begin processing suppressors that we can confirm originated from Silencer Shop on 4473 forms beginning Friday 8/14/2026. All SBRs and SBSs will still be processed on Form 4’s as will any and all suppressors that came as transfers from other dealers, distributors, and sources that we can’t confirm originated from Silencer Shop. Our hope is to receive guidance from the ATF and DOJ soon so we know how to properly proceed with other NFA items.

I've been a cardiac patient for years. I have experienced a heart attack and visited the heart cath lab so many times I've lost count. I currently have seven stents in my heart and recently added a pacemaker. I take my medications faithfully, exercise regularly, regulate my diet and keep my weight where my cardiologists want it. Yet, I still experience angina, fatigue and shortness of breath. I see two cardiologists....a plumber and an electrician. They both recommended EECP or Counterpulsation Therapy. It's a new FDA approved non-invasive treatment for the three symptoms I'm experiencing.

Some might ask...what is the genesis of my heart disease? It's hereditary and I can't change that. So...I accept it and move on.

It's 35 treatments -- 5 days a week for 7 weeks. Each treatment is about 1.5 hours and the therapist told me I'll feel like "you just walked 10+ miles each time". She indicated "expect severe fatigue for the first 2 weeks".

I'm a perfect candidate (based on symptoms) for this therapy.

I trained in martial arts for over 30 years...I know all about hard work and pushing my body to improve.

I'll post periodic updates as I progress down this road. I'd like to share the experience with peers / friends that might be interested in the treatments. I know former students and parents like to keep up on my health.

Send me in coach !!!!!!!!

EECP Therapy for Angina & Heart Failure | Flow Therapy Non-invasive, FDA-cleared EECP treatment that boosts blood flow and eases chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Book a free consultation today.

Another great day shooting at Staccato Ranch in a tactical bay. We worked drawing from a holster, moving and shooting, reloading and just had a ton of fun.

She's running a Springfield Echelon (9mm) and a Volquartsen Black Mamba (.22).

She did very well...discovered her limits and areas of improvement.

One area that's always challenging is "shooting on the move"...I told her "It's just like sparring" and she almost immediately crushed it (one pic is her moving and shooting).

Today, I'm significantly better in all categories (I've been doing this for 15+ years and she's new...I'm probably 20,000+ rounds in and she's pushing 500).

The joy of teaching is looking forward to the day when no matter how hard I try, I can't beat her.

This lady is seriously motivated...it's only a matter of time.

Today was a great day on two different gun ranges. The day started at the Austin Gun Club shooting long distance rifles.

One of my ELR teammates brought me along as a guest on the range. I zero'd the 22 Creedmoor and pushed that gun out to 1775 yds (yes...1 mile with a 22 Creedmoor). I hit the 4'x4' plate four times...twice in a row. I was rather pleased pushing an 80 gr bullet down range at 3500 ft / sec. The gun was built by CTX Precision Rifles and Rick builds an outstanding rifle. The gun certainly lived up to "Peaceful Confidence" (Pyong Ahn) today.

I switched to my 300 PRC and enjoyed more success. I was shooting Federal Premium ELD-X 212 gr ammunition and walked the gun out to 1775 yds without issue. Once the wind was dialed in correctly, I put several rounds on target in a row. The misses were just off edge due to wind changes.

With a total change of pace, I finished the day at Shady Oaks Gun Range shooting pistol and conducting three LTC shooting proficiency qualifications. All three candidates passed the shooting proficiency test...one with a perfect 250.

It was a good day of shooting with contrasting styles....very long range (rifle) and personal self defense (pistol).

The last picture has a circle around the 1775 yd target (for reference...1 mile is 1760 yds).

I'm teaching a License To Carry class at Educated Arms on Saturday (10:30am-3:30pm).

I realize Texas is a permit less carry state but having an LTC has several very unique advantages.

Call the store (512.827.7486) to get information or enroll in class (you can also just show up...we have a few spots left in the class).

Tang Soo !!! Does training in a traditional martial art benefit young kids ?? I'm a HUGE advocate for just that....I made it my full time job for 25 years.

Master Holt recently sent me a picture of former students (now her students). Look at this discipline...and what really matters is they are not doing it because they have to, they are doing it because they want to.

These young people will accomplish anything they set their minds to...they won't quit when it gets hard...they will help others along the way...and they will lead by example.

I could not be prouder of these young people and Master Holt.

Tang Soo !!!! I was copied on an email from Master Holly Holt (my most senior student) regarding the recent Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan National Tournament held in Katy, Texas. The words she shared with her students were exactly what they needed to hear. Medals and trophies are awesome...but attitude and respect mean even more. I'm so proud of Master Holt and all the students from Golden Hands Martial Arts that competed.

I did want to take a moment to explain a wonderful moment at the tournament. Aim and Focus Karate / Golden Hands Martial Arts "retired a trophy". To do this, you must win a National Championship three consecutive times. The students retired the Black Belt Team Forms trophy.

2023 — International/National Championships in Orlando, Florida
Bhavyaranjan Sinha, Dhruva Gundlur, and Kinsley Cronin-West
(first team Master Holt coached)

2024 — National Championships in West Haven, Connecticut
Bhavyaranjan Sinha, Sparsh Palankar—before becoming a KSN—and Avani Kshirsagar

2026 — National Championships in Katy, Texas
Bhavyaranjan Sinha, KSN Sparsh Palankar, and Abhinav Kumar

Some may want to split hairs and say two schools won those trophies....frankly I don't care. Master Holt and I know that doesn't matter. Those students won those trophies and deserve every bit of recognition.

Look at the attached picture...these are young people in our community. They are teenagers dedicating themselves to hours of extra training...training when it wasn't "convenient"...arriving early and staying late.

For those of you that follow this page, the young lady I recently worked with on long range shooting (that went 36 for 36) was on that first team....does martial arts training benefit the student in other ways, I think so !!!!

Also, one name appears on all three teams....Bhavyaranjan Sinha...I remember a young girl that first walked into my school...I showed her the path...Master Holt taught her excellence.

I'm so proud of Master Holt and her students. You've made this old Sa Bom Nim smile with great pride today.