Larry Vickers

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.^[1][2]

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 Gambit, Operation Gothic Serpent in Somalia, and other still classified operations in Desert Storm and Bosnia.^[3]

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 School, Infantry Advanced Individual Training, Jumpmaster School, Military Freefall Jumpmaster School, Bronze Star with 'V' device for actions in Panama, Joint Service Commendation medal with 'V' device for actions during Desert Storm, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge Vickers is one of the few published sources of reliable information on the U.S. Army's Delta Force. He is also known to be one of the driving forces behind Delta Force's customized M1911 pistol program.^[4]

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 & Bender. He was one of the principal designers behind the Heckler & Koch HK416,^[5] 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.^[6] According to Defensereview.com, he is highly regarded among professional gunsmiths as "one of the best pistolsmiths out there" ^[4]

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.^[2]

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.

Publications

Vickers has published numerous articles in firearms industry magazines. He has been published in American Handgunner, Shotgun News, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement, Combat Tactics and Special Weapons for Military & Police magazines.

References