Just received the call no son (child) wants to ever receive!

Wow! Life is really gone in the blink of an eye! I'm having a very difficult time processing thoughts at the moment. I mean, I know there are emotions I'm supposed to be having at the moment however there's so much in my mind. It's like the silence is soooooo loud at the moment! I've gone through my phone and watched old videos of you and even pictures! Certain pictures hurt more than others! It's like had I known that Moment was the last one, I would of sat longer in it! I would of laugh longer at that joke! I would of smiled longer looking into your eyes! And this is where sadness comes from! The joy of know your love for me was pure and I wasn't even your biological child means the most!! I love you, Pop! Period!

Ma passed away in September. That was very hard for you! You spoke a few times about how you felt God should of took you and left her. Life is so interesting! I'll never forget the time you tried to get me to take one of our dogs (Shaka) out to the Bombing Range and leave him so when you returned from vacation, he would be gone! 😂 Pop, You were soooo pissed off at me when you guys got back home and Shaka was in that backyard! Lol 😂 I couldn't do it, Pop! You never let me live that mess down either lol! So many moments you poured into me, chastised me, praises me and celebrated me like I was yours! You helped me and Pat get our cards after high school and against your advice, we weren't saving money like we were supposed to be! But what did you do? You went into your honey stash and got us the additional monies needed to get what we needed!! You were so perfect!

I'd like to just brag on how amazing your were for a lil bit. A man who had three kids biologically with Ma, 1 outside of the marriage, 2 adopted and then me! Like, think about that for a second.... You owed nobody nothing and yet you gave far more than you ever had to. I thank you 🙏🏾 for that! A thing that upsets me now is the thought of those who had issues with you! It's like your issues now are mine. A spiritual battle I now have to fight is not disliking those who I vividly remember you expressing pain about! Those who have wronged you since momma passed!! That's my immediate fight! But God is faithful! This will pass for me because I still have you in my heart! It sucks for their conscience though so I pray peace over their lives.

Your sense of humor was the best!! Your laugh was contagious! Pitching quarters was our all time favorite. I'm not sure how much money I've beat outta you over the years but I'm sure I'm on top, lol. You taught me always to prepare for the unknown. You would say little cliches that would make sense in the end when you look back on them, but never - EVER - made sense in the moment! I love you, James Coleman. I wasn't your child by birth right but you would never know if someone didn't say it. Memories I'll take with me forever! Sad, yes. Yes I am sad. I'm very sad! Very emotional in moments. I honestly didn't know I'd feel like this but whoever does? Like, who prepares for the day a love one passes and then emotionally walked that thing out the way that they mentally prepared it; I'll wait....

“A Hard Head Makes A Soft....”

As you can tell by the title, this has been a long time coming! As men, we tend to inherit and pass down certain tools to our loved ones that aren’t always a blessing. Sometimes those very tools that are meant to cause a project to be done rather smoothly and efficiently, can be a pure nightmare! That’s been the case for the last three to four years for me. I’ve been working with two pieces of equipment that in all honesty, I’ve done my uncle more shame than good by continuing to work on them. Making the decision wasn’t easy but when I did, I turned to the great people over at Brownells to make sure I was up to date on the proper tools needed to move forward.

First up, I’d like to talk about the new Shop Fox Gunsmith Vise made by Woodstock International. We can’t talk about this awesomeness without paying respect to the dead. My passed down Craftsman 3 1/2 came with one of the mounting holes broken and it had already been welded twice before I got it. Now we’ve spent many nights doing work over and over due to it leaning, not holding support or me having to wedge it to remove a muzzle device. Those days are gone, praise God! With the new Shop Fox Gunsmith Vise, not only does it swivel a full 360 degrees but the set up and flexibility of this vice is simply stunning. One of the major features of this vice that I’m excited about is the modular holes in the walls of the vice. On each side you have two holes that can be used to accommodate a wide variety of custom wooden designs, making it great for gun stock or even luthiery work. This vice is going to be something special and will give my son or daughter something to be happy to inherit, lol.

Next up, is the Wheeler Delta Series AR15 Combo Tool! Now if you’ve done any work on rifles in a vice that actually worked, you now how important these tools are. From removing a muzzle break, to tightening a castle nut or even torquing down a barrel nut to the right specs. To a novice, all these things should be made important but the seasoned builder, you know that your job just got sent to a GunSmith if you didn’t have these tools. The previous wrench I used had teeth that had been worn down from attempted to apply pressure. This Wheeler Combo Tool is so versatile! This tool features hardened barrel nut pins and profiles that fit the buffer tube lock nut and flash hider. I went with this one particular because it also has the cut out for a ½" drive and allows the use with ratchet driver or the included torque wrench. Bit driver and bit holder with six common bits help you work on most parts of the AR-15. Included beam-style torque wrench helps achieve correct torque on AR-15 barrel nut to maximize accuracy potential. This tool was the completion of my upgraded workbench and I couldn't be more excited!

If you're considering doing any upgrades to your workbench, I strongly urge that you consider picking up one of both of these tools. I had someone older share with me once before, “Gammage, all jobs are cut in half with the correct tool. That same job can be said to have a 99% chance of you not having to do it again if you have the correct tools. Now you factor the other side of those numbers and add up how much money you’re losing.” I’m sharing with you guys today that sometimes a hard head makes a soft..... (fill in the blank). Thanks for stopping by!

The Growth of Passion

 It had to be roughly about eight years ago when I decided to pick up a firearm and start shooting “legally”. My initial entry into firearms was my older brother given me a Glock 22 (.40cal) and I was estatic! No one could tell me anything! I just knew that this firearm was the best one ever and I was going to learn how to shoot USPSA Matches and everything! No matter how many times my wrist would hurt after shooting it, I decided to buy ammo in bulk. A thousand rounds of .40cal. and I shot at least twice a week just to make sure that I could develop some sort of recoil management; that never happened. I quickly put that firearm in the safe and picked up a KelTec P11. This gun was a 9mm and I just knew if I could conceal it then it would shoot just as great. I began training with the KelTec P11 and noticed that the similar affect was happening to my wrist. Now I'm starting to think that I just have weak areas of my game that I need to work out more but that wasn't the case. What I found out is at this point in life I did not know much about the science behind firearms. I knew I wanted to shoot guns and do hood rat stuff with my friends, but I did not know the scince. The Glock 22 was a .40cal, about 4.25 inches and the KelTec was a 3 inch and essentially I went from one extreme in the .40cal to another extreme in a Micro Carrie. All of this to say my early years of firearm development quickly was met with brutal force and I do not regret any of those days.

That was 2011. Here we are 11 years later and almost 75 different firearms that has finally landed me on my safe queens now. Now don’t let the name “safe queens” fool you. Since connecting with Brownells.com, all of my baby have gotten make overs and we’ve even done a few custom builds that would blow your mind! One of them, an AR9mm, we complete with a Brownells Bureau of Propaganda theme. It’s looks just like the flag and I’m very proud of it.

So you see. From where we started to where we are, the passion has grown. We no longer shoot anything stock. Most of my firearms are ported now and all have some sort of optic on them. I refuse to even wear run of meel holsters now. Where at one point I thought it ridiculous to spend over $50 on a holster; now my average holster cost about $130. Again, money isn’t the factor of the growth of passion...it’s knowledge. Knowledge will cause you to no longer allow money to limit your creativity and wisdom. 

Another thing that will remove limits from your mental and allow the passion within you to grow is connecting to the right people. I forever be thankful for the BOP Family of BrownellsINC. Each of them inspire and stretch my creativity on gun builds to enhance their functionality, as well as, there sex appeal. I love showing up to the range and pulling out an amazing looking firearm but then it performing better than it looks! NO GREATER FEELING! I also want to thank you for making this far. You are the ones that I do it for. Not to have significant numbers, there are guys to speak to those people with itching ears. You are the ones that desire great info from aight laymens...THATS ME! lol. Love you guys and until next time, NEVER COMPARE - NEVER COMPLAIN - NEVER COMPETE! Why? BECAUSE YOU ARE THE THREAT!

Good Bye 2021...You Were Great!

Good morning, Good Evening and Good Night, wherever you are when you’ve clicked on this blog. LISTTTEENN!!! 2021 was an amazing year! Before I say goodbye to it, I’d love to walk back over the year and just share some highlights and standout moments that existed for me. 

In June, I put together the “IG Range Day”. This day consisted of about 30 plus ladies and gents from around the state of Florida, as well as, Georgia and Alabama. This event was brought on by seeing a group of guys out of North Texas do the same thing. So I decided, “Why. not start a IG Group Chat with a few people that you chat with often?” Well, I did and the IG Content Extravaganza (what a corny name lol) was birthed. It went over without a glitch. Many of those guys established friendships for the first time that leading up and then on the event and have maintained those friendships since then! 

Three of the guys, Triggered_Dad (Dalton), Darius (DeeezGains) and Josh (JayWeth) have remained super close FRIENDS and our relationships have flourished. We formed a group since then called #SquadDrills. Our goal is to bring ladies and gentlemen together to train and enjoy the growing pains of firearms safety and proficiency. Our motto is “Progress Not Perfection”. We believe that learning, growing and getting better at our love for firearms shouldn’t have to be done through yelling, screaming and profanity! Getting better should be met with smiles, laughing and correction through love; that’s how we build bonds and grow our community. 

Meeting JJ Racaza, International Super Star, Grand Master and all around Amazing Guy, was another treat for 2021. I’ve not only gotten to shoot with some great people but I’ve also grown in representing the brand of Brownells. We’ve been able to do so much through the affiliate brandchamp side of Brownells. 2021 was largely made possible due to the generosity of Brownells. Not only being able to offer such affordable prices for everyday use items in our field, but their extremely quick shipping adds to how special they are. I’ve been approached by a few other companies to represent them via social media and I’ve denied it. I’ve turned it down 1) because I’m not one to just mention your name for name sake. 2) I’m just a country boy from Avon Park, FL. I’m no paid solicitor nor do I desire to be a spokesman for a company that I don’t even know. I’m thankful for Darius getting me connect with such a company as this. I believe in everything they believe and have connected with many other Field Agents that absolutely rock! It’s safe to say that I see myself being a Field Agent for Life and I love it!

Hello, 2022! This year I welcome you but I don’t welcome you alone! This time I’m coming with a SQAUD! We’ve met and began to carve out a path for ourselves and The Four Hoursemen, along with the rest of the squad, will most definitely be causing waves in the Gun Community this year. If you’re in the Tampa Bay area and are looking for others to connect with and grow with, then look no further. No only do we gather frequently to train and have fun, we also communicate off the range to keep each other accountable. We believe in Husbands being faithful to their Wife and vice versa. We believe in Fathers being active in their children(s) lives. We honor Family being first before a range day or event. We prize ourselves on promoting a healthy balance to life and firearms and not just following the recent and latest trends. If that’s you and you want to shoot with some others guys and ladies, you should comment and let me know. We’d love to have you out to shoot with with us. Bring your good drills with you and let’s have a go at them all. 

We’ll see you at the range in 2022!

Daddy Daughter Range Day

 Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen! Good Morning, Good Evening and Good Night to you wherever you are in the world! Today I am sooooo excited to tell you guys about such an amazing day I recently had with my oldest child. The day was long anticipated and yet it felt like it was over so quickly. 

My daughter’s name is Londyn. She is such a vibrant, witty and compassionate young lady. At only 9 years of age, she’s gifted and has the mental wherewithal of a 14 or 15 year old. So bright! Being that I’m a NRA Firearms Instructor, my children have been exposed to being around firearms safely since each of them were born. Londyn often would come into Daddy's Man Cave and do minimal tasks; refill ammo boxes, organize cleaning rods or even empty rounds from standing magazines. She’s been “working” with daddy since she was about 4 or 5 years old. I could have taken her to the gun range sooner, but I told her years ago that she couldn’t go until she was 9 years old and committed that age to memory! Year after year, she grew more and more comfortable and I began to allow her to dry fire empty firearms with me. During this time, her love for firearms and the safety of them continue to flourish! We would dry fire together at least once a week. Her skillset grew and the 6, 7 and then 8 year old, finally turned 9 and it was go time!

One night in late November, the night before our range trip, Londyn asked me about the Brownells Premium Electronic Ear Muffs (she just called them Electronic Headphones). I told her, “Daddy doesn’t allow people to use these. These are special and they’re meant for only the Instructor or someone who desires to be an Instructor.” Londyn looked up and me with one hand still in my range bag and the other on the headphones and said, “But if you’re an Instructor and I know what you know... doesn’t that make me at least an Instructor in that’s just isn’t teaching people?” I had not quick comeback. I simply stated, “Londyn, put my headphones down and those over there are yours.” lol. Needless to say she wore my Brownells Premium Electronic Ear Muffs and she absolutely loved them. 

I’ve since put together a Youtube video documenting our time. She even made fun of me throughout the making note of how many times I would keep mentioning the name “Brownells”. It was as if she worked for someone and was hired to keep track of my “Brownells'' comments. It’s not my fault that “Brownells” has everyone one could ask for on their well laid out Brownells.com website. Visit “Brownells'' at www.Brownells.com and browse through the more than robust selections. Also, if you would like to see the full video of Daddy and Daughter Range Day, follow this link: https://youtu.be/QP3RXtB60rg 

Until next time, thank you so much for stopping by and spending some time with me. I hope you’ve heard my heart on how proud I am of my baby girl and I’m most excited about the possibility of you stopping and watching the video as well.

Intro To Field Agent Status

What’s up, Gang Gang! It’s been a minute since the last time I’ve come baring gifts of the pen...BUT I”M BAAACKKKKKKK!!

From the title you can possibly gather where we’re going with this one. Today I want to bring you guys up to speed on a new amazing opportunity I’ve been given. The title of Field Agent is usually reserve for one who works for an organization outside of the 4 cornered office. A Field Agent’s office of choice is usually that of the open road, shaking and baking, the highways and the hedges...You get where I’m coming from. A Field Agent is one who represents their organization wherever you see them at.

Have you heard of the company Brownells, Inc.? If you’re connected in anyway to the 2A Community, you’ve heard about, ordered from or liked something they’ve produced within the last week and possibly didn’t even know it. We’ll, I’ve been rewarded with one of the greatest honored I’d say I’ve received since starting my 2A Journey; I’ve been selected to be a Brownells, Inc. Bureau of Propaganda Field Agent and I couldn’t be more happier. In addition to receiving amazing discounts on amazing products and specific items needed to work, I get the amazing honor of representing this company and the high quality products.

Something I’ve love to highlight from Brownells are the amazing Premium Branded Earmuffs. Not to many, electronic ear pro isn’t something new; and I agree. I’ve owned several different types of ears in the past and many are great at parts of what they claim to be able to do. I’ll be honest and say Brownells has claimed to do a lot and they’ve actually succeeded! Immediately after unboxing them, you feel the the quality in the padding. Again, other headphones leave you wanting more in the padding department. No one wants sounds seeping in but we also don’t want to sacrifice hearing for comfort.  These head phones have sound activated compression technology as well as fully dynamic range HD Speakers. If you tend to run extra equipment that requires an input jack...then you’re in luck! One of the highlights of these particular ears are that they are tuned to increase natural sounds around the range bay and immediately dampens guns shots that are around you. I absolutely love these things. I mentioned it earlier but the padding surrounding these ears are spectacular! The rating of 23db is another plus. These ears are the pair you want in your Range Bag.

In closing, I plan to bring to the table and highlight a lot more products and equipment from Brownells. Not only am I raving about their products but the customer service is second to only my mother; because even my wife gets fussy every now and then. If you’re planning to purchase anything 2A related in the near future, please do yourself a favor and visit www.brownells.com. Listen, they’re so amazing that they’ll give you $10 off your purchase just by signing up for their email. What else can I say about this new Field Agent position other than be prepared to hear me blabbering about this company a lot in the near future! Until that read...Yawl Be Blessed!