(+4 rating, 4 votes)
Loading... 
feature_DSC01574-Enhanced-NR_IG copy
Several subject matter-specific events are held across the defensive-minded training sphere: the Polite Society Conference, Rangemaster’s Tactical Conference (TacCon), the Combatives Summit, the Revolver Round-Up, and more. One is specifically for those interested in the practical application and art of the defensive shotgun.
Darryl Bolke is covering reloading while Steve Fisher and others listen.
In late 2020, Darryl Bolke (whose work has appeared here and elsewhere) conceived Thunderstick for the same reasons the Pat Rogers Memorial Round-Up was started. He was concerned that the art of the defensive shotgun was dying. Fewer instructors with significant practical experience using them were also able to teach the platform. He then reached out to Steve Fisher, the Haughts, and myself.
Year #1
In June 2021, about 25 end users and a handful of trainers rolled into the law enforcement training range at the Dallas Pistol Club. DPC is a solid training facility—it has multiple bays with distances of 15 to 100 yards. Thunderstick went to the L/E portion because of the classroom.
The author talks about the ready position he is demonstrating with a blue gun.
The gathering started with Tom Givens discussing the history, evolution, and defensive use of shotguns. While the platform has been used elsewhere on the planet—Malaysia and Rhodesia being just two of them—its widespread proactive and reactive use is far more prevalent in the United States.
A series of four-hour blocks followed Tom’s effort. Each of the other instructors presented that was solidly anchored in their wheelhouse. I started with a session on foundational manipulations – loading, unloading, chambering rounds, and – importantly – using the receiver-mounted mechanical safeties. Darryl’s section addressed reloading and non-dynamic movement, while Steve Fisher ran (pun intended) everyone through drills focusing on dynamic movement while keeping the ‘gun loaded. Rob and Matt Haught taught their highly thought-of Push-Pull method of recoil management while introducing short stocking.
We finished up that first year with a few hours in the classroom doing a long-form question-and-answer session that included a show-and-tell with some historic shotguns.
The Summit has some excellent industry supporters, Aridus Industries being one of them.
Industry attendees and supporters that first year included The Wilderness and Aridus Industries.
The consensus from the attendees was that Thunderstick was an effort worth repeating.
Students working on multi-directional movement drills – there was about 15 yards of lateral separation between them.
Year #2
With a need to expand, the Summit moved to the Pro-Am Range in Boulder, Nevada, outside of Las Vegas, for the October 2023 edition. We had more industry involvement for the event and with the participants. That started with Vang Comp Systems as the host and largest sponsor. It also included Aridus, Beretta, Mossberg, and Woox.
Greg Ellifritz working the line during the patterning and zeroing portion on the first day.
While Tom was not able to attend, we added Greg Ellifritz and Mark Fricke.
The facility allowed us to offer simultaneous sessions – usually three sessions at any time.
Vang Comp
Vang’s staff was supporting students by wrenching on their guns as needed.
As part of Vang’s role, they brought their staff out, allowing attendees access to competent armorer support. This not only covered any repairs that were needed but also handled some modifications and upgrades that the end users wanted.
One of the benefits the facility afforded us was the ability to do a low-light block. Significant court decisions have emphasized the need for law enforcement to train in low light. Sadly, there is seldom enough good training in diminished lighting conditions for law enforcement, never mind much of the public. Fisher and I taught a low light block one evening. We followed that up with a daytime block covering the shotgun and lights utilizing reflective tape to indicate whether the lights were in the appropriate places.
Other sessions included patterning with Fricke, close-quarter employments, and cornering, which Ellifritz covered. Fisher addressed dynamic movement and positions while I handled manipulations.
Mossberg supplied shotguns to the instructors. Some of the modifications to those guns are now present in a line of guns that are about to be publicly released to the wider end-user community.
Year #3
As interest in attending continued to increase, the Summit moved again. This year, it took place at The Farm Training Center outside of Eagle Mountain, Utah. Seventy-five attendees and seven instructors attended.
The combination allowed Mark Fricke to split off a track for attendees who were new to the defensive shotgun or were much less experienced than others.
Long-time student Keith R. cleared a structure with a cleared shotgun (yellow rope) during the ’24 session.
Vang continued their gunsmith support while also being the event’s host and largest sponsor.
Aridus Industries, Berne, Kick-Eez, Mossberg, and 5.11 Tactical with lunch, gear donations, and shirts for the instructions.
Speaking of Attendees
Every year women have made the trek to ThunderStick, actively participating throughout the whole weekend. They have represented law enforcement, the business community that supports the training world, and trainers.
One of several female shooters, Rachel, violin-loads her shotgun during the low light block.
Next Year
The dates for the 2026 event are not yet set in stone. However, we expect to see an increase in attendees and instructors. Several of the industry names mentioned will continue supporting the event.
Tentatively, ThunderStick will return to the greater Las Vegas area.
Danilo
Rob Haught with the late Sgt Dan Castaneda during the 2023 Thunderstick. Dan left us far too soon.
One of the attendees in 2023 was a Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department sergeant – Danilo Castaneda Jr. A few months after the event, he passed away suddenly. Dan was as serious a student as any of us and had taken classes from or with several of us. In 2024, Thunderstick will have a scholarship for an active law enforcement trainer to carry on his name and dedication to increasing his knowledge and skill.
Final Thoughts
Thunderstick’s goal is to preserve the knowledge and skills of the pre-eminent shotgun instructors—like Awerbuck, Helms, Jeans, Mudgett, and Reitz—while sharing the lessons learned on the street from when these were the primary long guns in police work.
