TAKING AIM

Aimpoint
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The official Aimpoint podcast. For more than 5 decades, Aimpoint has pioneered electric red dot sighting technology used by hunters and competitive shooters around the world. Now, we’re bringing you insights from influential voices in firearms culture. Dive into the 2A lifestyle with hunters, veterans, tactical experts, instructors, law enforcement, and even celebrities. The show is hosted by Richard Nance, a lifelong martial artist and retired Police Sergeant with 25 years of law enforcement experience, including time as a SWAT Team Leader and Defensive Tactics Program Supervisor.

  1. 4d ago

    Red Dot vs. Iron Sights: The Truth About Target Focus (w/ Seth Swerczek)

    In this episode of the Taking Aim Podcast, host Rich sits down with Seth Swerczek, Marketing Communications Manager at Hornady Ammunition, to trace his path from Marine Corps rifleman to ballistics engineer to marketing lead — and how his hands-on lab background shapes the way he communicates about products today. The conversation ranges from his Nebraska upbringing and lifelong hunting relationship with his father, to the technical realities of a ballistician's day-to-day (propellant troubleshooting, terminal performance testing, and years of Doppler radar data behind Hornady's drag-reduction technology), to the design philosophy behind newer cartridges like the 7 PRC and 6.5 PRC — built to expand what's possible rather than replace proven classics like the 7 Mag. The episode closes on Hornady's Vexis biometric safe, with Seth breaking down the near-infrared vein-recognition technology that unlocks it in roughly 0.3 seconds, fully offline and non-networked for security. Follow Seth on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seth.swerczek/?hl=en Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters  00:00 – Cold Open 02:44 – A Day in the Life of a Ballistics Engineer 08:09 – Growing Up Hunting & Time in the Marine Corps 14:26 – Starting the Hornady Podcast 19:05 – Hornady's Bullet Technology (Critical Duty, 9mm Shift) 25:00 – Why New Cartridges Don't Replace the Classics 29:28 – Reading the Wind vs. Calling the Wind 33:24 – How Technology Has Changed Hunting 39:30 – What's New at Hornady (Bullets & Safes) 43:34 – The Vexis Biometric Safe 48:45 – Where to Find Hornady 50:04 – Outro

  2. Aug 25

    The Red Dot Pioneer: Kelly McCann’s Simple Approach to Faster, More Accurate Shooting

    On today’s episode of Aimpoint’s Taking Aim podcast, Rich Nance sits down with Kelly McCann, a former Marine Corps infantry commander and special operations veteran known for his pioneering work in combatives and firearms training. Kelly breaks down personal security, self-defense, and armed encounters through a “principles over techniques” lens; covering everything from home security and legal use-of-force pitfalls to red dot pistol optics. With a career spanning work with elite units, founding the multimillion-dollar Crucible training company, and media contributions under the alias Jim Grover, McCann’s insights into realistic self-defense, tactical innovation, and mental toughness are sure to inspire and instruct listeners in improving their skills. Follow Kembatvitz at: https://www.instagram.com/kembativz/?hl=en Check out Kembatvitz at: kembativz.com Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit Aimpoint.com to learn more: https://www.aimpoint.com/  PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Video Chapters: (00:00) Kelly's Background & Personal Security Basics (06:10) Layered Personal Protection: Awareness, Dress & Home Security (08:48) Less-Lethal Tools, Improvised Weapons & Legal Risk (13:45) Cameras, Excessive Force & Fighting Under Pressure (17:10) Training Military vs. Law Enforcement vs. Civilians (21:42) Why "Women's Self-Defense" Is a Myth (28:51) Principle-Based vs. Technique-Based Combatives (40:09) Social Media Critics, State of Combatives & Red Dot Sights (58:38) Idaho Active Shooter Incident & Closing Thoughts

  3. Aug 18

    Gun Writer Richard Mann on Scout Rifles, Red Dots, & African Safaris

    In today’s episode of Taking Aim, Rich Nance is joined by Richard Mann, shooting editor at Field and Stream, ammo columnist for American Rifleman, and one of the most prolific gun writers in the industry. Richard breaks down what a true “scout rifle” is, discusses red dot reliability, and why most shooters panic when their dot disappears. He also shares stories from decades of African safaris, from first-shot nerves, gut-shot mistakes, campfire debriefs, and why he keeps going back. More from Richard Mann: https://emptycases.substack.com/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Video Chapters: (00:00) Richard's Writing Career & Background (02:36) What Is a Scout Rifle? (Cooper's Concept & Controversy) (08:10) Gun Safety, Africa Prep & First Safari Nerves (18:37) Red Dot Sights: Training Mistakes & Reliability (26:07) Red Dots for Hunting & Dangerous Game (31:31) Why Africa Keeps Calling Him Back & Final Thoughts

  4. Aug 11

    Why Your Red Dot Isn't Making You Faster (You're Using It Wrong) | Buck Buckner

    In today’s episode of Taking Aim, Rich Nance sits down with Buck Buckner, Training Manager for AimPoint USA and a 20+ year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard's deployable specialized forces, joins Taking Aim to break down what it really takes to master a red dot on a pistol. Whether you're in law enforcement, a competitive shooter, or just picked up your first red dot pistol, this conversation is packed with real, actionable insight from one of the most respected voices in red dot training.  More from Buck: https://aimpoint.us/duane-buck-buckner  Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Video Chapters: (00:00) Meet Buck Buckner (01:17) Why Police Are Slow to Adopt Red Dots (03:23) Buck's Coast Guard Career & Path to AimPoint (08:32) The Science of Simplicity: Sequential vs. Parallel Thinking (13:49) Emphatic vs. Subtle Signals (Why Red Dots Work) (18:23) Draw Stroke, Presentation & Weapon Retention (26:30) Common Grip & Aiming Errors (34:14) Grip Mechanics, Recoil Control & Head Stillness

  5. Aug 4

    48 Years of Martial Arts Taught Me This About Real Self-Defense

    In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with Cecil Burch, a third-degree black belt in Gracie jiu-jitsu and longtime martial arts and combatives instructor who owns Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Anthem in Arizona, to explore his decades-long journey through dozens of martial arts disciplines before settling on jiu-jitsu, the philosophy behind pressure-testing skills through real competition, the importance of training in a weapons-based environment for genuine self-defense, and the deeper lesson that true mastery means growing beyond imitation of any single instructor or system. Follow Cecil on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graciejiujitsuanthem/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters  (00:00:00) Martial Arts Background & Early Training (00:06:44) Comparing Journeys: Magazines, Karate Kid & Adapting for the Street (00:11:03) Why Competition Matters: Pressure Testing (00:17:37) Process vs. Outcome & Self-Worth in Competition (00:18:52) Choosing Jiu-Jitsu as a Base & the Size/Strength Myth (00:25:43) Martial Arts Meets Firearms: Weapons-Based Training (00:32:12) The Cost of Hardcore Training (CTE & Injury) (00:45:09) Training Civilians vs. Law Enforcement vs. Military (00:52:05) Developing Your Own Style: The Bruce Lee Philosophy (01:06:27) Plugging the Academy & Where to Find Cecil

  6. Jul 28

    Why "Training" Isn't the Same as "Practice" — CJ Cowan Explains

    In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with CJ Cowan, a Marine Corps combat veteran and the Training Coordinator for the Surefire Institute, to talk about his journey from a childhood spent learning marksmanship fundamentals with his grandfather to route clearance in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, and ultimately into a career built around training law enforcement and civilians alike. CJ and Rich dig into the real differences between training, practice, and competition, why a "gunfighter's mindset" matters more than a match score, the science of myelination and how skill actually gets built in the brain, and the low-light tactics, weapon lights, and red dot fundamentals every serious shooter should understand. Follow CJ Cowan on Instagram: @cj_cowan_ Learn more about the Surefire Institute: https://www.surefire.com/ Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & CJ's Background in Shooting and Hunting 02:57 – Marine Corps Service and Route Clearance in Afghanistan 04:51 – Competition Shooting vs. Training: The Gunfighter Mindset 09:49 – The Science of Skill: Myelination and How the Brain Learns 27:28 – Inside the Surefire Institute: Master Coach and Low-Light Training 39:15 – Weapon Lights, Handhelds, and Low-Light Best Practices 41:55 – Red Dots vs. Iron Sights: Building Automaticity and Speed

  7. Jul 21

    Gave Up a 10-Year Sponsorship to Pursue Firearms (w/ Casey Starling)

    In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with Casey Starling, a professional BMX street rider who has crossed over into the firearms world through sponsorships with Walther and Geissele, a move that cost him his nearly decade-long partnership with Kink BMX after the brand said it didn't want him mixing firearms content with his BMX career to explore the surprising parallels between the discipline, precision, and calculated mindset required to push the limits of BMX and the focus needed to shoot at a high level. Follow Casey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CASEYCASED/?__d=11 Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD Chapters  00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:55 - Casey's Background & Learning BMX 00:05:03 - Getting Sponsored & Going Pro in BMX 00:12:10 - Mindset: Full Commitment & Parallels to Shooting 00:17:12 - The Kink BMX Controversy & Firearms Sponsorship 00:39:44 - Gear Talk: Red Dot vs. Irons & Wrap Up

  8. Jul 14

    Hunting Cape Buffalo with a Red Dot: Brad Fenson on Dangerous Game & Quick Target Acquisition

    In this episode of Taking Aim, host Rich Nance sits down with Brad Fenson, an award-winning outdoor writer and photographer who has written for over 60 publications and co-authored the Canadian editions of the Total Outdoorsman, Total Fishing, and Total Gun manuals. They discuss Brad's childhood roots in waterfowl hunting, the craft of writing a compelling hunting story, and the evolution of bow and crossbow technology. Brad also shares his firsthand experience using red dot optics on dangerous game in Africa and while handgun hunting, emphasizing that consistency behind the trigger matters more than the gear itself. Along the way, he reflects on his podcast, Harvest Your Own, and how his daughters' growing involvement in the outdoors reflects his mission to pass hunting knowledge on to the next generation. Follow Brad on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/bradfenson/?hl=en Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSA Visit: https://aimpoint.us/ to learn more PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The official Aimpoint podcast. For more than 5 decades, Aimpoint has pioneered electric red dot sighting technology used by hunters and competitive shooters around the world. Now, we’re bringing you insights from influential voices in firearms culture. Dive into the 2A lifestyle with hunters, veterans, tactical experts, instructors, law enforcement, and even celebrities. The show is hosted by Richard Nance, a lifelong martial artist and retired Police Sergeant with 25 years of law enforcement experience, including time as a SWAT Team Leader and Defensive Tactics Program Supervisor.

Information

  • Creator
    Aimpoint
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Aimpoint
  • Show Website
    TAKING AIM

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