Larry Vickers

Larry Allen Vickers is a retired soldier, firearms instructor, and author. He is the founder of Vickers Tactical, and co-founder of the International Defensive Pistol Association and Firearms Training Association.[1]

Larry Vickers
BornJune 1963 (age 59)
Adams Mills, Ohio, United States
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
RankMaster sergeant
Unit10th Special Forces Group
A Squadron, Delta Force
Battles/warsOperation Just Cause Operation Desert Storm
AwardsBronze Star Medal with V for Valor

Early life

Vickers was born in Adams Mills, Ohio in June 1963.[2][3] His father served in the North African and Italian campaign of World War II.[4]

When he was in middle school, Vickers decided that he wanted to join the United States Army Special Forces, and gained an interest in firearms during this period.[5] Vickers entered into the Delayed Entry Program and graduated from Tri-Valley High School in 1981,[4] and graduated from the military in 1982.[4] He joined Delta Force in 1987.[4]

Career

Vickers participated in Operation Desert Storm,[4] and Operation Acid Gambit, for which he received the Bronze Star Medal. Vickers retired from Delta Force after 20 years of service, mostly due to personal injuries.[2] Vickers formerly worked for Heckler & Koch, during which time he helped to develop the HK416[6] and HK45.[7]

Larry Vickers is the author of the "Vickers Guide", a series of reference books that launched in 2015, detailing firearms such as the Colt AR-15, M1911, and MP 40.[8]

In 2009, the Vickers Tactical YouTube channel was created. By 2021, it reached upwards of 900,000 subscribers, and 200,000,000 views.[9]

Personal life

Vickers is a fan of the AK-47,[5][10] and has an autograph from Mikhail Kalashnikov.[11] In 2021, Vickers was diagnosed with cancer.[9]

Vickers has an affinity for Rhodesia, and in 2017 posted a photo of a Rhodesian FAL with the caption "It's time to slot floppies. ..." (floppies being a racial slur and slot being Rhodesian slang for shoot). He believes that the fall of Rhodesia was "the greatest tragedy of the post-World War II era."[1]

References
  1. Ismay, John (10 April 2018). "Rhodesia's Dead — but White Supremacists Have Given It New Life Online". The New York Times.
  2. "The Making Of A Legend | Larry Vickers". American Shooting Journal. 2020-08-24. Retrieved 2021-07-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. "Ask Me Anything - Answers". YouTube. Vickers Tactical.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. "Profiles Of Courage - Larry Vickers - Delta Combat Veteran". YouTube. Vickers Tactical. 2020-02-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ""Ak is very easily given a facelift with what is available on the market can be brought up to be a very efficient weapon system": Larry Vickers interview pt. 2". Kalashnikov Media.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. Rosenwald, Michael (2014-08-08). "Ernst Mauch: The man making guns smarter". The Independent. Retrieved 2021-07-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. Mizokami, Kyle (2020-01-16). "This 1 Reason Shows Why the HK45 Pistol Is One of the Finest". The National Interest. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
  8. "Book Review: Vickers Guide: World War II Germany, Vol. 1". American Rifleman.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. P, Will (2021-04-08). "Larry Vickers Announces Porsche Dealer Sponsorship". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2021-07-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. Ziyatdinova, Aygul. "Retired US ASF Larry Vickers about the Kalashnikov rifle". RealnoeVremya. Retrieved 2021-07-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. C, Nicholas (2015-04-29). "Larry Vicker's Kalashnikov Autograph". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2021-07-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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