Has anyone seen Kelly McCann's "In the Crucible" series?

Gary Brommeland · December 29th, 2006, 08:19 PM

I would like to build a library of training DVD's. I've seen a tape with this guy doing a couple of shooting drills, and this dude is FAST!

However, that does not necessarily translate into a quality training tool.

Anyone seen 'em? Anyone got 'em? Would you spend $235 for a set of these things? Thanks to all for your input.

QKShooter · December 29th, 2006, 10:29 PM

Just so members know who/what you're talking about.
I honestly cannot add much except for the fact that I've heard the name.

COMBATIVES
Jim Grover (AKA Kelly McCann)

In the days following the September 11 attacks on New York City, television viewers grew involuntarily dependent on CNN for news, warnings, and alerts of possible subsequent acts of terrorism. It was around this time that we inevitably became aware of the government’s reliance on one H. Kelly McCann for insight into what might transpire next.

McCann regularly appeared on various news programs to update the anchors on what US military actions were taking place, as well as what desperate responses could be expected from the Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces. Strangely, to some of us familiar with counter-terrorism and executive security, McCann’s physical appearance suspiciously resembled that of Jim Grover, another well-known security specialist whose sober, no-nonsense advice and tactics could be found in lucid books and videos available from Paladin Press.It took only a day for us to confirm that H. Kelly McCann was Jim Grover; or rather, that “Jim Grover” is a pseudonym for H. Kelly McCann.

According to Paladin, “Jim Grover [read: Kelly McCann] is a real-world operator who knows what works and what doesn’t from violent personal experience.” They further inform us that, “his professional credentials in crime avoidance and self-defense are as good as it gets: on-site security specialist in the world's hottest of hot spots, firearms and combatives instructor to ultrahigh-speed military and police units, and hands-on security trainer to international corporations, among other sensitive assignments.”

Of course, you would say, it is the publisher’s duty to hype its authors with exaggerated claims. But, I would respond, I have found no exaggeration in any of Grover’s materials. A good case in point is the three-tape set of Combatives videos that I had the opportunity to evaluate last summer.

Within the informal setting of his training facility Grover, dressed in jeans and a cut-off sweatshirt, presents step-by-step instruction in an easily learned, exceptionally brutal, and devastatingly effective system of hand-to-hand combat. Grover has culled the most fool-proof components of military combatives, finessed them, and formulated them into a hard-core street fighting method.Because this method has been dummy-proofed for untrained viewer, trained martial artists will find it extremely easy to adopt and incorporate Grover’s techniques into their own defensive systems.

Why, you ask, would you need this method if you’re already trained in a defensive system? Because Grover’s method is made up of vicious responses against attackers who may also have martial arts training. There are not only techniques against punchers and kickers, but also strategies and tactics to use against club attacks, knife attacks, gun threats, and even the currently trendy ground fighters.(Watch out, Gracies!Grover’s techniques are meant for the street, not just the Octagon.)What’s that you say? Ripping out eyes in the manner Grover demonstrates in not allowed in the ring? Well, as Grover himself would reply, “The only dirty fight is the one you lose.”

Reviewed by James Loriega

The three-tape Combatives set may be ordered from
Paladin Press
Gunbarrel Tech Center
7077 Winchester Circle
Boulder, CO80801-3505.

ShackleMeNot · December 30th, 2006, 08:50 AM

Kelly McCann's DVD are overall very good. They are far above average for what else is out there.

Just because HE can shoot doesn't mean he can teach you to fight but Kelly is one of the few guys who can both fight AND teach you to fight better.

Ranger · December 30th, 2006, 08:58 AM

For that much money, they better come with a gun.

ShackleMeNot · December 30th, 2006, 06:25 PM

A set of good training DVDs will teach you things that buying another gun can't.

TwoRavens · January 17th, 2007, 08:23 PM

I have all his videos/DVDs except the expanding baton one.

The crucible series gets an A+ rating in my opinion (in my collection of over 150 martial art/SD/Shooting library), as does the combatives set and self-offense tape.

Gary Brommeland · January 17th, 2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoRavens

I have all his videos/DVDs except the expanding baton one.

The crucible series gets an A+ rating in my opinion (in my collection of over 150 martial art/SD/Shooting library), as does the combatives set and self-offense tape.

Thank you!!! That's the kind of feedback I've been looking for.

TwoRavens · January 17th, 2007, 08:51 PM

Your welcome

. If you're starting a library I would also recommend he material by South'Narc (http://www.shivworks.com/products.asp)
and John Perkins (http://www.attackproof.com/) (the latter is not gun related)

DOGOFWAR01 · January 22nd, 2007, 12:24 PM

Kelly McCann's "In the Crucible" series ... "None better" - "Second to None" - "Light Years Ahead of All Others" ... enough said.

Gary Brommeland · January 22nd, 2007, 12:32 PM

Thanks, guys! I am building a small library and will consider all other suggestions as well. I've heard that "South Narc" is good, too. I'll check him out. Thanks again for the feedback. Keep it comin'. Thanks!

December 29th, 2006, 08:19 PM	#1
Gary Brommeland Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,426	Has anyone seen Kelly McCann's "In the Crucible" series? I would like to build a library of training DVD's. I've seen a tape with this guy doing a couple of shooting drills, and this dude is FAST! However, that does not necessarily translate into a quality training tool. Anyone seen 'em? Anyone got 'em? Would you spend $235 for a set of these things? Thanks to all for your input.

December 29th, 2006, 10:29 PM	#2
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 19,807	Paladin Press has them for $224.00 Just so members know who/what you're talking about. I honestly cannot add much except for the fact that I've heard the name. COMBATIVES Jim Grover (AKA Kelly McCann) In the days following the September 11 attacks on New York City, television viewers grew involuntarily dependent on CNN for news, warnings, and alerts of possible subsequent acts of terrorism. It was around this time that we inevitably became aware of the government’s reliance on one H. Kelly McCann for insight into what might transpire next. McCann regularly appeared on various news programs to update the anchors on what US military actions were taking place, as well as what desperate responses could be expected from the Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces. Strangely, to some of us familiar with counter-terrorism and executive security, McCann’s physical appearance suspiciously resembled that of Jim Grover, another well-known security specialist whose sober, no-nonsense advice and tactics could be found in lucid books and videos available from Paladin Press.It took only a day for us to confirm that H. Kelly McCann was Jim Grover; or rather, that “Jim Grover” is a pseudonym for H. Kelly McCann. According to Paladin, “Jim Grover [read: Kelly McCann] is a real-world operator who knows what works and what doesn’t from violent personal experience.” They further inform us that, “his professional credentials in crime avoidance and self-defense are as good as it gets: on-site security specialist in the world's hottest of hot spots, firearms and combatives instructor to ultrahigh-speed military and police units, and hands-on security trainer to international corporations, among other sensitive assignments.” Of course, you would say, it is the publisher’s duty to hype its authors with exaggerated claims. But, I would respond, I have found no exaggeration in any of Grover’s materials. A good case in point is the three-tape set of Combatives videos that I had the opportunity to evaluate last summer. Within the informal setting of his training facility Grover, dressed in jeans and a cut-off sweatshirt, presents step-by-step instruction in an easily learned, exceptionally brutal, and devastatingly effective system of hand-to-hand combat. Grover has culled the most fool-proof components of military combatives, finessed them, and formulated them into a hard-core street fighting method.Because this method has been dummy-proofed for untrained viewer, trained martial artists will find it extremely easy to adopt and incorporate Grover’s techniques into their own defensive systems. Why, you ask, would you need this method if you’re already trained in a defensive system? Because Grover’s method is made up of vicious responses against attackers who may also have martial arts training. There are not only techniques against punchers and kickers, but also strategies and tactics to use against club attacks, knife attacks, gun threats, and even the currently trendy ground fighters.(Watch out, Gracies!Grover’s techniques are meant for the street, not just the Octagon.)What’s that you say? Ripping out eyes in the manner Grover demonstrates in not allowed in the ring? Well, as Grover himself would reply, “The only dirty fight is the one you lose.” Reviewed by James Loriega The three-tape Combatives set may be ordered from Paladin Press Gunbarrel Tech Center 7077 Winchester Circle Boulder, CO80801-3505.

December 30th, 2006, 08:50 AM	#3
ShackleMeNot Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 117	Kelly McCann's DVD are overall very good. They are far above average for what else is out there. Just because HE can shoot doesn't mean he can teach you to fight but Kelly is one of the few guys who can both fight AND teach you to fight better. __________________ Shay Van Vlymen - Instructor Tactical Response

December 30th, 2006, 06:25 PM	#5
ShackleMeNot Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 117	A set of good training DVDs will teach you things that buying another gun can't. __________________ Shay Van Vlymen - Instructor Tactical Response

January 17th, 2007, 08:23 PM	#6
TwoRavens Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 115	I have all his videos/DVDs except the expanding baton one. The crucible series gets an A+ rating in my opinion (in my collection of over 150 martial art/SD/Shooting library), as does the combatives set and self-offense tape. __________________ /********* Phill **********/ "Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate" William of Ockham (ca. 1285-1349)

December 30th, 2006, 08:58 AM	#4
Ranger Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 368	For that much money, they better come with a gun.

January 17th, 2007, 08:51 PM	#8
TwoRavens Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 115	Your welcome . If you're starting a library I would also recommend he material by South'Narc (http://www.shivworks.com/products.asp) and John Perkins (http://www.attackproof.com/) (the latter is not gun related) __________________ /********* Phill **********/ "Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate" William of Ockham (ca. 1285-1349)

January 22nd, 2007, 12:24 PM	#9
DOGOFWAR01 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: WYOMING Posts: 368	Kelly McCann's "In the Crucible" series ... "None better" - "Second to None" - "Light Years Ahead of All Others" ... enough said.

January 22nd, 2007, 12:32 PM	#10
Gary Brommeland Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,426	Thanks, guys! I am building a small library and will consider all other suggestions as well. I've heard that "South Narc" is good, too. I'll check him out. Thanks again for the feedback. Keep it comin'. Thanks!

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