Introduction to The Tactical Games With Nathan Drumm
644If you're physically fit and like to push yourself to your limits, and you like shooting competitions, the Tactical Games might be right up your alley! Brownells recently hosted the Iowa edition of the Tactical Games at our Big Springs Shooting Complex, and Caleb welcomes competitor Nathan Drumm who tells us what they're all about. The Tactical Games were started in 2018 by Tim Burke, a retired Green Beret who wanted to create a sport that involved both shooting AND fitness. The first Tactical Games events proved very popular, and the whole sport has grown like gang busters in the last 4 years.
The first Tactical Games event Nathan took part in had about 40 participants. The Brownells-hosted event in October 2022 had 140, and events with 200+ competitors are not uncommon. Nathan had been competing in CrossFit competitions, but he had a problem.... no guns! With the encouragement of his wife Blaire, he found the Tactical Games and took part in their third-ever event, held at Reveille Peak Ranch in Texas. He was hooked. Then Blaire decided to give it a try. And she was hooked too.
What's a typical Tactical Games course of fire like? It usually covers two days (there are single-day events, too) with 4 stages per day. A stage may involve "long movement" like running up to 6 miles or "rucking" up to 12 miles. There are weight-carrying activities like a "farmer's carry" or dragging sandbags. You do these strenuous activities until your heart rate is way up and you're out of breath. THEN you do the shooting.
Aside from marksmanship, Tactical Games competition tests running, strength, and endurance. The ratio of marksmanship to physical activity is about 60/40, so it is still more of a shooting competition. The shooting is not strictly about speed but more about accuracy. You are limited to a specific number of rounds. If you waste a round on a miss, you're hosed.
There are three divisions to match different participant skill levels. Every division allows one optic on your rifle. The INTERMEDIATE division for beginners requires iron sights on the pistol and involves schlepping lighter weights. The TACTICAL division has heavier weights and allows optics on pistols. The ELITE division is for the true studs because it has the heaviest weights. There are two MASTERS levels for the more.... seasoned competitors, ages 40-49 and 50+.
Competitors have to run the stages wearing a plate carrier that weighs at least 15 lbs. for men and 12 lbs. for women when it's "slick" - that is, with nothing attached to it.
Nathan gives us a tour of his current Tactical Games gear. His Sons of Liberty Gun Works Swampfox rifle has a heavy-contour 14.5" barrel, Magpul BAD Lever, Emissary Development Hand Brake (hand stop), Badger Ordnance scope mount, and a Vortex 1-6x Razor scope. Up front is an extended A2 flash hider. He uses a Javelin Concepts plate carrier, Safariland holster, G-Code belt system with their Scorpion mag carriers, and his pistol is a Staccato (formerly STI) 2011 XL.
Then there's the time Nathan's rifle got run over by a vehicle during a competition. The ending of that story may surprise you!
NOTE: Products in this video are to be used only for lawful purposes, including hunting, self-defense, and competitive or recreational shooting. If you purchase any of them, you are responsible for understanding and complying with all federal, state, and local laws that apply to the purchase, possession, and use of these products.
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