Student of the Gun University

Student of the Gun

The road to mastery begins here. The Student of the Gun University Podcast makes it easy to gain a new perspective and understanding of firearms training.

We use a single topic, short-form, easy to digest format to enable you to maximize your listening time.

Each episode of SOTG University podcast will focus on a specific topic allowing you to choose from a variety of topics and subject matters related to the world of firearms and firearms training. Be sure to start with the 3 pillar episodes!

Our host is Professor Paul G Markel, a veteran instructor with 30 plus years of experience training military personnel, law enforcement and citizens alike.

Mr. Markel will tap into his well of knowledge to offer solid and tested advice in regard to most all Small Arms & Tactics topics.

Grab a pencil and a notebook. You are not going to want to miss a word of this show. Learn more at sotgu.com and remember… You are a beginner once, a student for life.

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3 Things Every Gun Owner Must Understand

3 Things Every Gun Owner Must Understand

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comDuring this episode, we will address the 3 Things or topics that every person who owns a gun, any gun, needs to understand. This is fundamental or foundational knowledge that is critical to gun owners, regardless of what plan to do with a firearm. Use the SOTG promo codes here: www.studentofthegun.com/cultureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Episodes

3 Things Every Gun Owner Must Understand

3 Things Every Gun Owner Must Understand

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comDuring this episode, we will address the 3 Things or topics that every person who owns a gun, any gun, needs to understand. This is fundamental or foundational knowledge that is critical to gun owners, regardless of what plan to do with a firearm. Use the SOTG promo codes here: www.studentofthegun.com/cultureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

How to Give Good Advice

How to Give Good Advice

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comGun people are often asked to give advice about the choice of firearms and accessories. How can we give the best advice possible? What is the definition of “good advice”? Ask Questions, Listen, Remember for whom the advice was given. Be Honest.https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/how-to-give-good-advice-when-youre-asked-about-guns/Use the SOTG promo codes here: www.studentofthegun.com/cultureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Stop Handicapping Yourself with Bad Gear

Stop Handicapping Yourself with Bad Gear

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comPoor choices in gear; ammo, holsters, belts, accessories, etc. can and will distract you and effectively handicap you during training. Paul has some advice to help you have a better training experience.Use the SOTG promo codes here: www.studentofthegun.com/cultureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Operational Fitness: What Does Your Instructor Expect from You?

Operational Fitness: What Does Your Instructor Expect from You?

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comGun people are often asked to give advice about the choice of firearms and accessories. How can we give the best advice possible? What is the definition of “good advice”? Use the SOTG promo codes here: www.studentofthegun.com/cultureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Shooting is 90% Mental

Shooting is 90% Mental

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comDuring the process of writing a new book, I had the opportunity to once more closely examine what it takes to achieve mastery with a firearm. Some people think that they need to master just one more high speed technique or add one more custom part to their pistol. Shooting well is 90% mental and 10% physical. Upcoming training course: martial-application-of-the-pistol-201Use the SOTG promo codes here: www.studentofthegun.com/cultureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Why Do Some Instructors Hate Dry-Fire?

Why Do Some Instructors Hate Dry-Fire?

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comHaving learned how to dry-fire decades ago and having used it successfully to fire “Expert” on the Marine Corps rifle range, I was surprised when an instructor of whom I had great respect disparaged the use of dry-fire. I set out to figure out why this was the case.Upcoming Training Course: martial-application-of-the-pistol-201Use the SOTG promo codes here: www.studentofthegun.com/cultureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

K.I.S.S. Principle in Action : Lexington & Concord Rifle

K.I.S.S. Principle in Action : Lexington & Concord Rifle

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comThe purpose of our collaboration with Spike’s Tactical was to create a practical, rugged and reliable rifle that had everything a fighting gun needs but nothing it does not. K.I.S.S. Principle in action or application. https://www.spikestactical.com/collections/complete-rifles/student-of-the-gun-the-lexington-concord-an-instrument-of-liberty/Use the SOTG promo codes here: www.studentofthegun.com/cultureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

How Much Scope is Enough?

How Much Scope is Enough?

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comKeeping with our recent theme regarding long distance and precision shooting, we pose the question: how much scope is enough? We could also ask, how much scope is too much?Do you really need a 20x scope to hit a target at 1000 yards? We have an extensive amount of experience in this subject and have some suggestions to make.Use the SOTG promo codes here: www.studentofthegun.com/cultureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Make Bold Adjustments

Make Bold Adjustments

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comLesson from long range shooting; if you want to experience real change and improvement, you need to be willing to make bold adjustments. This lesson applies not only to the elevation knob on your rifle scope, but to other aspects in your life.Use the SOTG promo codes here: www.studentofthegun.com/cultureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Clean Your Guns

Clean Your Guns

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comBelieve it or not, sometimes you need to clean your guns. Firearms are simple machines and machines run the best when they are clean and properly lubricated.FrogLube is back as an official sponsor of Student of the Gun so this is a good time to discuss firearms maintenance and cleaning. www.studentofthegun.com/froglube Promo Code: SOTGSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Training In The Heat

Training In The Heat

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

The Real World or The Range?

The Real World or The Range?

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comWe just had a very successful PFT Training Camp. So successful, that we have scheduled another one for September of 2023. Follow the link: PFT camp.Do we go to the shooting range to learn how to function and perform on the range? Or, is our purpose to go to a training area to learn and practice how to function and perform in the real world? The two are not the same. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Dealing with the Flinch

Dealing with the Flinch

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comWhat is the flinch reaction and from where does it come? Just as importantly, what can we do to mitigate the flinch reflex? Professor Paul has been helping shooters to mitigate and eliminate the accuracy stealing flinch for over 30 years. Listen louder.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Time Investment: 10 Minutes a Day

Time Investment: 10 Minutes a Day

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comI recently read that a person who will devote or dedicate ten minutes a day to the practice of a certain endeavor; piano, guitar, dry fire, etc. will in one year have an ability greater than 95 percent of the people around them.Let’s consider the math for a moment: 10 x 7 = 70 and 70 x 52 = 3640 minutes or 60 hours. Is the path to mastery impossible? Or, does the path to mastery instead require discipline and dedication?Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

The Value of Team Training

The Value of Team Training

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comThe American gun owner has fallen into a rut and firearms training has become dogmatic and predictable. Is individual training enough or should we expect more from ourselves and our trainers? We will consider the PFT Training Camp and its potential value.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

What is Combat Accuracy?

What is Combat Accuracy?

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comMany folks will pontificate about so-called “combat accuracy”. What exactly does that mean? Is that term an excuse for poor performance? We will consider what we should expect from ourselves and from our equipment.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Idiots of Instagram

Idiots of Instagram

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comThe idiots of Instagram are going to get good people killed. Not everyone who has some kind of social media channel is an “expert” or even qualified to teach anyone. We will consider a few dangerous trends that are popular on socialist media.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Worshiping the Convenience God?

Worshiping the Convenience God?

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comAre you worshiping the convenience god? Regarding the road to mastery, in any subject not just firearms, where should convenience and easiness be on the priorities list? There are “influencers” out there who are “influencing” young people to believe that the best things in life are convenient and easy. As you might imagine, Professor Paul has some thoughts on the matter. Afterall, this is Student of the Gun University.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

The BIOFire “Smart Gun” Misfire

The BIOFire “Smart Gun” Misfire

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comCongratulations to BioFire for traveling 10 thousand miles to completely miss the point of being an armed citizen. The curse of modern man: attempting to use technology to solve mindset problems. Professor Paul considers the downfall of reliance upon high tech.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations

Dress for Success

Dress for Success

Support this show at https://www.sotgu.comBefore you head to any training event or even the local range, you should prepare your wardrobe accordingly. Professor Paul recently dealt with inclement weather during a training event and he will relate the clothing / gear that kept him warm and dry. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/student-of-the-gun-university/donations