Learn the Best Tips and Tactics on 'Personal Defense TV'

Most of you out there own handguns for a single purpose: to protect yourself and your loved ones. It's a big reason why you read Handguns—and why we in turn devote the large majority of the pages of Handguns to defensive pistols and revolvers, along with tactics that will help you prevail in a life-or-death situation.

If that describes you, there's a television show devoted to this subject you simply have to check out: Personal Defense TV. It's on the Sportsman Channel, and the first episode will air October 1. The show begins its seventh season with a new host, Richard Nance—a name familiar to readers of Handguns in the past two years, and a contributing writer who takes on a new role as the back page columnist, beginning Handguns' October/November 2012 issue.

Nance has been a police officer the past 15 years, and he's currently assistant SWAT team leader, firearms instructor and patrol rifle instructor. He's also a black belt in Shudokan karate.

"My first exposure to Personal Defense TV was several years ago at SHOT Show when I came across a DVD from Season 1," Nance said. "As a police officer and lifelong martial artist, I was immediately intrigued. I started watching PDTV and it soon became my favorite show on television. Little did I know, that I would be hosting season seven of PDTV."

Readers will also recognize two key PDTV personalities from Handguns. James Tarr, a former Detroit police officer and former co-host of Handguns TV, will be covering new guns, ammo and more in the "Survival Tools" segment.

And longtime Handguns contributor Dave Spaulding—who pens the "On Patrol" column each issue—will be helping Nance teach on several episodes.

PDTV viewers will also be treated to a legal segment led by none other than Massad Ayoob, and Nance will also be getting teaching assistance from former police Lt. R.K. Miller—who will lead the "Skills Drills" segment— and former SWAT leader Sal DiMercurio.

"We've really assembled an all-star cast for season seven," said PDTV executive producer J. Scott Rupp. "A lot of that credit goes to Rich, who reached out to R.K. and Sal for their expertise. Plus, having worked with Dave Spaulding and Jim Tarr for so long—Jim and I in particular had a lot of experience working together on Handguns TV—I knew those guys were going to be perfect fits.

"But Rich is the driving force behind the show. This is his vision. The fact that he's a dual threat as a knowledgeable firearms instructor and a black belt in karate…well, how can you go wrong?"

"My goal is that PDTV offers something for everyone, from a novice shooter to a well-trained legally armed citizen or police officer," Nance said. In addition to features on close-quarter shooting, malfunction clearing, shoot/don't shoot, home defense, thwarting a mugging and much more, there will be recurring segments on guns and ammo, shooting skills, legal advice and hand-to-hand tactics.

"Of course, none of this would be possible without our sponsors," Rupp said. "I'm proud to say we have some of the best companies in the business supporting us: presenting sponsors Hornady and Stag Arms, as well as Springfield Armory, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Nighthawk Custom, MKS Supply, Taurus and Viridian.

"We are working on getting a new website and Facebook pages up and running, and they'll be ready by the time the first episode airs. And people who are on Twitter can keep current with what's going by following @PDTV1 and @NanceRichard."

PDTV makes its season debut on October 1. Showtimes for the season are (all times Eastern) Monday 10:30 p.m., Tuesday 1:30 a.m., Wednesday 3 p.m. and Sunday 6 a.m.

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