Larry Vickers
Encyclopedia
Larry Vickers is a former member of the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta (1st SFOD-D, commonly referred to as Delta Force
). He is also a gunsmith
, television host, firearms industry consultant, tactical security consultant, and firearms instructor. He has been involved in the design process of several notable firearms in recent times. He is a founding member of the International Defensive Pistol Association
. He is the namesake of the IDPA Vickers Count scoring system, and the Vickers Tactical series of firearms, and Vickers Signature series of firearms accessories.
Larry Vickers is featured on a new firearms, tactics, and accessories focused T.V. show called Tactical Impact. From clearing a house to mounting a night assault on a fortified enemy, each episode of Tactical Impact examines a real life tactical problem and the arms, accessories and tactics to prevail. Larry also co-hosts a second show called Tactical Arms. Tactical Arms will examine a modern weapon from the inside out. From machine guns, to battle rifles, to shotguns to handguns, they go through a metric ton of ammo to show you the anatomy, performance, origins, and uses on today’s battlefields that make these weapons the best of breed.
, Operation Gothic Serpent
in Somalia, and other still classified operations in Desert Storm and Bosnia.
According to his website, a partial list of his qualifications and awards include:
. He was one of the principal designers behind the Heckler & Koch HK416, HK417, and HK45. In addition, he has helped develop the Wilson Combat WWII Commemorative Pistol, Schmidt & Bender 1.1 - 4 x 20 CQB Short Dot scope, the Surefire X200 series tactical light and Scoutlight tactical lights, and the Insight Technology M3x and M6x laser/weaponslights, as well as the ATPIAL infrared laser & illuminator (similar to the PEQ-2 illuminator. According to Defensereview.com, he is highly regarded among professional gunsmiths as "one of the best pistolsmiths out there"
Vickers is also the namesake and co-designer of the now discontinued Nighthawk Custom Vickers Tactical VT1911 (a modified M1911-A1) with some parts being supplied by Caspian Arms. The pistol was endorsed by Ken Hackathorn, founding member of IDPA and IPSC
, the two major handgun shooting associations. Vickers is a member of the American Pistolsmiths Guild, and his entrance was endorsed by gunsmithing legend Dick Heinie.
Vickers' most recent product consulting includes the design of tactical slings from Blue Force Gear, an extended Glock
magazine catch from TangoDown, and the Daniel Defense M4 Carbine.
, Shotgun News, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement
, Combat Tactics and Special Weapons for Military & Police magazines.
Delta Force
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta is one of the United States' secretive Tier One counter-terrorism and Special Mission Units. Commonly known as Delta Force, Delta, or The Unit, it was formed under the designation 1st SFOD-D, and is officially referred to by the Department of Defense...
). He is also a gunsmith
Gunsmith
A gunsmith is a person who repairs, modifies, designs, or builds firearms. This occupation is different from an armorer. The armorer primarily maintains weapons and limited repairs involving parts replacement and possibly work involving accurization...
, television host, firearms industry consultant, tactical security consultant, and firearms instructor. He has been involved in the design process of several notable firearms in recent times. He is a founding member of the International Defensive Pistol Association
International Defensive Pistol Association
The International Defensive Pistol Association , founded in 1996, is an organization based in Berryville, Arkansas, USA that promotes defensive pistol shooting as a sport, using equipment including full-charge service ammunition to solve simulated "real world" self-defense scenarios...
. He is the namesake of the IDPA Vickers Count scoring system, and the Vickers Tactical series of firearms, and Vickers Signature series of firearms accessories.
Larry Vickers is featured on a new firearms, tactics, and accessories focused T.V. show called Tactical Impact. From clearing a house to mounting a night assault on a fortified enemy, each episode of Tactical Impact examines a real life tactical problem and the arms, accessories and tactics to prevail. Larry also co-hosts a second show called Tactical Arms. Tactical Arms will examine a modern weapon from the inside out. From machine guns, to battle rifles, to shotguns to handguns, they go through a metric ton of ammo to show you the anatomy, performance, origins, and uses on today’s battlefields that make these weapons the best of breed.
Military history
Larry Vickers spent over twenty years in the United States Army in special operations. He participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama, including the rescue of Kurt Muse during Operation Acid GambitOperation Acid Gambit
Operation Acid Gambit was a plan to retrieve Kurt Muse, an American civilian living in Panama and widely reported to be a CIA operative from the Carcel Modelo, a notorious prison in Panama City...
, Operation Gothic Serpent
Operation Gothic Serpent
Operation Gothic Serpent was a military operation conducted by special operations forces of the United States with the primary mission of capturing warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid...
in Somalia, and other still classified operations in Desert Storm and Bosnia.
According to his website, a partial list of his qualifications and awards include:
Operator Training Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Forces Military Freefall Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course (SF Sniper School), Airborne SchoolUnited States Army Airborne SchoolThe United States Army Airborne School — widely known as Jump School — conducts the basic paratrooper training for the United States armed forces. It is operated by the 1st Battalion , 507th Infantry, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia...
, Infantry Advanced Individual TrainingUnited States Army Infantry SchoolThe United States Army Infantry School is located in Fort Benning, Georgia. It is made up of the following components:*192d Infantry Brigade...
, Jumpmaster School, Military Freefall Jumpmaster School, Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with 'V' device for actions in PanamaUnited States invasion of PanamaThe United States Invasion of Panama, code-named Operation Just Cause, was the invasion of Panama by the United States in December 1989. It occurred during the administration of U.S. President George H. W...
, Joint Service CommendationCommendation MedalThe Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
medal with 'V' device for actions during Desert StormGulf WarThe Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, Defense Meritorious Service MedalDefense Meritorious Service MedalThe Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
, Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
, Combat Infantryman BadgeCombat Infantryman BadgeThe Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
Vickers is one of the few published sources of reliable information on the U.S. Army's Delta ForceDelta Force1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta is one of the United States' secretive Tier One counter-terrorism and Special Mission Units. Commonly known as Delta Force, Delta, or The Unit, it was formed under the designation 1st SFOD-D, and is officially referred to by the Department of Defense...
. He is also known to be one of the driving forces behind Delta Force's customized M1911M1911The M1911 is a single-action, semi-automatic, magazine-fed, and recoil-operated handgun chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. John M. Browning designed the firearm which was the standard-issue side arm for the United States armed forces from 1911 to 1985. The M1911 is still carried by some U.S....
pistol program.
Firearms industry
Larry Vickers has worked with several companies, including Heckler and Koch, Blue Force Gear, Daniel Defense, TangoDown, Surefire, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk Custom, and Schmidt & BenderSchmidt & Bender
Schmidt & Bender is a German company specialized in producing high end telescopic sights for hunting, sports, law enforcement and military arms....
. He was one of the principal designers behind the Heckler & Koch HK416, HK417, and HK45. In addition, he has helped develop the Wilson Combat WWII Commemorative Pistol, Schmidt & Bender 1.1 - 4 x 20 CQB Short Dot scope, the Surefire X200 series tactical light and Scoutlight tactical lights, and the Insight Technology M3x and M6x laser/weaponslights, as well as the ATPIAL infrared laser & illuminator (similar to the PEQ-2 illuminator. According to Defensereview.com, he is highly regarded among professional gunsmiths as "one of the best pistolsmiths out there"
Vickers is also the namesake and co-designer of the now discontinued Nighthawk Custom Vickers Tactical VT1911 (a modified M1911-A1) with some parts being supplied by Caspian Arms. The pistol was endorsed by Ken Hackathorn, founding member of IDPA and IPSC
IPSC
IPSC may refer to:* Induced pluripotent stem cell, a type of pluripotent stem cell* International Practical Shooting Confederation, a shooting sport based on the concept of practical shooting...
, the two major handgun shooting associations. Vickers is a member of the American Pistolsmiths Guild, and his entrance was endorsed by gunsmithing legend Dick Heinie.
Vickers' most recent product consulting includes the design of tactical slings from Blue Force Gear, an extended Glock
Glock
Glock Ges.m.b.H. is a weapons manufacturer headquartered in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria, named after its founder, Gaston Glock...
magazine catch from TangoDown, and the Daniel Defense M4 Carbine.
Publications
Vickers has published numerous articles in firearms industry magazines. He has been published in American HandgunnerAmerican Handgunner
American Handgunner is a magazine dedicated to handguns, handgun hunting, competition shooting, reloading, tactical knives and other shooting-related activities in the United States...
, Shotgun News, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement
Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement
Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement is a firearms magazine that is published eight times per year by Harris Publications....
, Combat Tactics and Special Weapons for Military & Police magazines.