Lenny Magill is, from what I can tell, an incredibly prolific firearms enthusiast.  His Concealed Carry  video is foundation material for anyone who regularly carries a licensed firearm.  I've no doubt that Lenny does, or that he owns a small (or perhaps very large) private collection of pistols.  I gleaned that much just in watching Lenny speak on the topic of handguns. I also found the video informative (if basic) and enjoyable.

Production values are very slick.  Lenny does a lot of video work, and it shows.  Sound quality and picture are both great, though some of the video could stand to be brighter and the outside scenes have some background noise.  There are a lot of special effects and plenty of "public domain" music, both of which are a little overdone, but I can forgive this given the professional quality of the production overall.

The tape also includes some "model flash," a catch-all term for whenever pretty people are used gratuitously to spice up a video.  Concealed Carry also features a large, overweight man performing some of the carry techniques, which is a welcome addition.  Given the percentage of the "gun culture" comprised of overweight men, it's good to have an element of pragmatic realism in the presentation.

Lenny himself is very comfortable on camera, which is a pleasure to see.  He has the sort of delivery I associate with the hosts of TNN's American Shooter or Trucks -- a rich "radio voice," a polished tone, and a very commercially accessible cadence.  You could easily insert commercials into this video and have a prepackaged television spot.

The instructional material begins with ten rules of firearms safety as described by Magill:

1. Keep your gun pointed in a safe direction.
2. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target.
3. Keep your gun unloaded until you're ready to shoot.
4. Be sure your gun is in good working condition.
5. Know how to safely operate your gun.
6. Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
7. Know your target AND what's beyond.
8. Always wear ear and eye protection.
9. Never use alcohol or drugs before or during shooting.
10. Store guns and ammunition so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.

"Always do your part to keep our shooting sports safe," Magill encourages the viewer..  He appears on camera wearing a suit jacket to demonstrate different concealment positions for firearms, eventually revealing 11 handguns on his person or in accompanying accessories like a briefcase).  He's also got a handgun mounted underneath a nearby table.  He promises to show the viewer over 40 different ways to carry and conceal a handgun, which the viewer is supposed to glean over the course of watching the video.

Lenny discusses aspects of safety specific to concealment and carry holsters before going on to discuss selecting guns and ammunition.  He mentions choosing a firearm and caliber to suit your body style and carry mode, including your lifestyle and clothing.  Numerous firearms are introduced, displayed with graphic statistics and voiceovers as if we're watching some sort of Home Shopping Channel devoted to firearms.  Magill continues by making a distinction between self-defense ammo (generally hollow-point) and target ammunition, though he does concede that all ammunition is deadly.

The four principles of drawing a firearm, as Magill sees them, are as follows:

1. Clear the clothing.
2. Move the hand toward the gun.
3. Acquire a good grip.
4. Point the gun at the target.

After you've practiced your draw, Lenny explains, you can start practicing self-defense shooting.  Outside on a range with cardboard targets (there is quite a lot of wind noise), Lenny describes the shooting drills he prefers.  He discusses the fact that while two-handed shooting is preferable, a one-hand stance presents less of a target to an opposing shooter.  He demonstrates a position in which he extends his pistol while standing sideways, his off hand sort of "chambered" against his chest.  "Shooting in a self-defense mode is not target practice," he comments.  "In a sense, this is survival shooting."

Lenny also discusses the issue of grip.  He actually advocates a very aggressive grip to control the handgun.  "Handshakes" are fine for targets, he says, but for combat shooting you'll want a much tighter grasp.  He demonstrates drawing and firing at seven feet from his targets, telling viewers to work for technique rather than speed.  Thrust the gun downrange after you clear your holster, he exhorts.  "The gun's not going anywhere except where I point it," he says.  "I'm going to dominate this gun.  Dominate where the round is going to go."

Magill also discourages shooters from developing habitual shooting postures.  He demonstrates various draws before admitting that his favorite form of carry is IWB (appendix position).  Clad in a sweatshirt over his handgun, he demonstrates clearing and shooting in this attire.

In the next segment, using a Beretta .22 Jetfire, Lenny shows that a "pocket pistol" can indeed be fired accurately, contrary to popular belief.  He also challenges the myth that small people cannot fire large firearms.  His petite wife Tammy fires a full-sized pistol to demonstrate the benefits of aggressive handling and proper shooting fundamentals.

Speaking at length about methods of concealment, Lenny demonstrates and describes the use of the following:

• Belt slide holsters
• Small-of-back holsters
• IWB holsters
• Paddle and clip holsters
• Shoulder holsters
• Pocket holsters
• Wallet holsters
• Ankle holsters
• Belly band holsters
• The "Answer" holster from Safariland, which uses an unusual under-clothing mounting system
• Fanny packs
• Specialty holsters (such as pager-paddles)
• Hip/clip grips
• Books with cutout cavities
• Briefcases
• Hide-A-Gun mounting systems
• Purses and planners

If you're a shooter who's been working with firearms for any length of time, nothing here will be earth-shattering – but the tape would make a great introduction for beginners trying to learn about the options available to them for concealed carry.  Perhaps because laws vary, Lenny doesn't spend a lot of time on legalities -- though any discussion of firearms should contain at least the caveat that they can be heavily restricted depending on where (and who) you are.

In the next segment, Lenny does away with his holsters entirely, showing how to carry a pistol with your body, in a rolled up magazine, in your waistband, or even strapped to your forearm with rubber bands.  He demonstrates shooting through a jacket pocket, among other things.

Capping the tape with a little shooting philosophy, Magill explains the "Three As" – Avoidance, Awareness, and Attention, as he describes them.  The best way to win a gun fight is to avoid being in one.   One does this by being aware, and one remains aware by paying attention.

Don't think you can end a fight before it begins by presenting the gun, Lenny cautions.  Brandishing a firearm is escalation.  You should only present your weapon if you are in life-threatening danger.

"Your best bet," he says in conclusion, "is to walk away."