The 2026 season kicked off at the Tactical Games(TTG) Regional in Bland, Missouri, hosted by Intrepid Defense and it didn’t ease us in. It tested everything.
New venue. New season. Same standard: show up ready.
If you’ve never heard of Intrepid Defense, it’s not just a range it’s a proving ground. Law enforcement, military, and competitors all sharpen their edge there. If you’re ever in Missouri, make the trip. It’s worth it.
Mindset First: Built on Scripture, Not Emotion
Before the gear. Before the stages. Before the pressure—comes mindset.
Not hype. Not adrenaline. Foundation.
As Christians, we don’t just “get focused” we align ourselves with truth.
13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 All that you do must be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14(NASB)
That was the mission going in:
- Stay alert
- Stand firm in faith
- Be strong under pressure
- Move with love, not ego
Did the nerves show up? Absolutely. Every time.
But this is where training meets trust. The early mornings. The dry fire reps. The conditioning. The sacrifice. It all gets tested—and God uses both the wins and the weaknesses.
Here’s the truth most won’t say:
Every stage hurts. Every event is a grind.
So I lean into that. Expect the suck. Embrace it. When you stop fighting reality, you start performing inside it.
What Went Right for The Tactical Games: Growth You Can Measure
This wasn’t perfect, but it was progress.
- Day 1 Finish: 11th place (Masters Division)
- Final Placement: 16th out of 22
Not where I want to be, but not where I used to be.
Big Wins
1. Pistol Performance Took a Leap
This was a weakness last season. Not anymore.
- Cleaner hits
- Better control under fatigue
- More confidence at speed
2. Fitness Held the Line
After 3 weeks off (travel + illness), I expected a drop-off. It didn’t happen.
That matters in a sport where fatigue destroys accuracy.
3. Paper Target Efficiency Improved
Both rifle and pistol were consistent on paper stages faster transitions, fewer wasted reps.
4. Mental Composure Stayed Intact
No panic. No quitting. Just forward movement.
Kingdom Impact: More Than The Tactical Games
This weekend wasn’t just about performance; it was about purpose.
We hosted a Prayer Tent with the support of The Tactical Games.
- Prayed over athletes both days
- Connected with competitors and families
- Gave away copies of Stand Firm and Act Like Men by Pastor Joby Martin
Faith belongs here. In the dirt. In the fight. In the community.
If you’re heading to TTG Iowa or Montana Regionals events, come find us.
What Needs Work: No Excuses, Just Execution
Let’s be honest; this is where growth lives.
1. Long-Range Rifle Consistency
Too many dropped shots. Period.
When distance increases, discipline must increase with it.
2. Pacing Strategy
This isn’t CrossFit. You can’t redline everything.
Push too hard → accuracy suffers
Hold too much → time kills you
I’m still dialing this in.
3. Stage Planning
Seconds matter. Efficiency wins.
Cleaner movement = higher placement.
4. Positional Shooting
Barricades. Angles. Stability under fatigue.
This is a skill gap and it’s getting addressed.
Missouri reminded me of 2Corinthians 12:9-10, were Paul takes about our weaknesses:
9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
-2 Corinthians 12:9-10(NASB ’95)
Weakness isn’t always the enemy. It’s the invitation to grow, and a tool God uses for His glory.
Gear Breakdown: What Held the Line
Esstac Stacked Pouches
Locked in. Zero failures.
- Strong retention
- Space-efficient
- No lost mags; even during climbs and transitions
Stealth Arms Platypus (Comped)
This pistol showed up.
- Flat shooting
- Fast follow-ups
- Reliable in dirt, sand, and stress
A double-stack 1911 running Glock mags; with performance to match. Check out Stealth Arms to see all the options. Full review coming later this season.
Holosun 507C
TThis was my first time running a Holosun optic. For years, I’ve been firmly on Team Vortex when it came to red dot optics. However, after transitioning from a Vortex LPVO over to the EOTech Vudu, it opened the door to trying different setups and seeing what else the market had to offer. That led me to the Holosun 507C.
So, how did it stack up? In short; it performed exceptionally well. The optic took a solid amount of abuse throughout the weekend and never skipped a beat. At one point, I even slammed it into a barricade and bar during a stage transition. Despite the impact, the 507C held zero the entire match without issue. That level of durability immediately stood out.
A few early takeaways from my time behind the optic:
- Bright and crisp reticle presentation
- Clean window with no fogging issues
- Maintained zero throughout the weekend
- Durable enough to handle hard use and impacts
The Holosun 507C definitely made a strong first impression. A full long-term review will be coming later this season as I continue putting more rounds and reps behind it.
AR Platform Notes
Ran into issues early:
- Failure to extract
- Accuracy inconsistency
Fix:
- Swapped bolt head → problem solved
- Gas block misalignment identified → testing ongoing
Lesson: your setup matters before you step onto the stage.
AKT1 Blackout TWS Earbuds
Game-changer for hearing protection.
- No cords
- Secure fit
- Clear audio for commands
- Strong noise reduction
Performed flawlessly all weekend. AKT1 Blackout TWS Earbuds are my go to for hearing protection. Full review coming later this season too.
Ammunition Performance in TTG: Pressure-Tested
Rocky Ford Ammunition – 147gr 9mm
Outstanding across the board.
- Zero malfunctions
- Soft shooting
- Consistent ignition
- Competition-ready accuracy
This is what you want when performance matters. Rockey Ford Ammunition has been some of the best ammunition I have used. I am not saying that because they are a sponsor but the ammo truly runs flawlessly and David is passionate about creating an amazing product.
Bonefrog 5.56 – 77gr
Strong, but one question mark:
- 1 failure to extract (likely rifle-related)
- Otherwise consistent and accurate out to 360 yards
Next test, will be comparing 77gr Bonefrog to Rockey Ford’s .223 62gr for my next regional event.
TTG Lessons Learned: Faith, Fitness, and Firearms
This event exposed the gaps, and that’s a gift.
What’s Next
- Increase long-range reps
- Train under fatigue more intentionally
- Refine pacing strategy
- Improve stage breakdown and visualization
And above all:
Trust God’s process. Not just the outcome.
To Make a Long Story Short
Missouri delivered hard lessons—and real growth.
- Pistol improved
- Fitness held
- Weaknesses exposed
I didn’t hit Top 10, but I’m closer than I was.
And that’s the mission:
Get better. Stay faithful. Keep showing up.
Nationals isn’t given. It’s earned. And we’re getting to work.
I would like to thank The Tactical Games for hosting the event and allowing us to host a Prayer tent. Thank you Holosun for allowing me to test out your red dots this season.
I want to thank my Sponsors Rockey Ford Ammunition and Stealth Arms for supporting me in the 2026 Season. Go check them out.
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