Rising Stars: Meet Brad Adcock

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Adcock.  

Hi Brad, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I grew up around guns & hunting with my grandfather. When I was a young adult, I was the victim of an armed home invasion. I decided after that I would never allow myself to be in that position ever again, and I started taking the defensive side of the firearms world more seriously. I eventually attended my first match with the American Confederation of Tactical Shooters, of which I am now the President, and was immediately humbled finding that there was “something” I was missing. I won a training course with a now good friend of mine, Jeff of DMI Performance, and my mind was blown as to how much more there was to shooting than I had thought. I was hooked from there, and over the last 12 years or so have gone on to log thousands of hours of defensive firearms, non-lethal defense, and medical training of various sorts, as well as hundreds of competitive shooting matches. During all of this, I started customizing some of my own guns. Jeff took notice and hooked me up with Doug at ATEi as he was in need of a new “frame guy.” I started doing framework for ATEi, created my current business Great Lakes Custom Works, and now do polymer framework and other customizations, including in-house Cerakote and laser engraving full time. I’ve now recently started a training company, Minuteman Defense, so I can start training others and passing on the lifesaving knowledge and skills I’ve learned through my experience over the years. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is a struggle, and anyone who says otherwise has likely lived a life better than most. There are always constant hiccups and problems. Always some fire to put out. How one handles those situations is generally what makes the difference and determines who survives and who does not. In my specific regard, getting people to understand and accept the world they live in and the importance of life-saving skills is a constant struggle. Most Americans are spoiled, and most have become accustomed to the anomaly that our society truly is. They don’t think “it” will ever happen to them. And when it does, they are unprepared and suffer as a result. Reality is man’s nature can be evil. One of my mottos is we do not enjoy the luxury of choosing if, when, where, or how evil (or pure dumb luck for that matter) will rear its ugly head upon us. It choses for us. We can never predict and prevent it all. So, the only realistic solution to that is to be prepared to stop that evil or stem the negative results of that “bad luck” at any time. Getting people to understand and acknowledge that is a major struggle. Defensive skills are also ones that for some inexplicable reason, people think they posses naturally. Every dude seems to think he’s an MMA fighter, Rambo, or both. This could not be farther from the truth. We never “rise to the occasion” as many seem to think; we fall to our level of training. Even with firearms. Some seem to think simply getting a firearm for personal defense is the solution. Well, one is no more a gunfighter because they posses a firearm than one is a musician because they possess a guitar. Many think it’s some cheat code, and it’s not. Bad guys have guns, and bad guys train. Bad guys know martial arts. So, getting people to see the need for and actually engage in training for these skills is a major struggle as well. Medical is even harder because it lacks the exciting “cool factor” that other training does. In reality, we are exponentially more likely to need lifesaving medical skills than we are defensive skills. With rights come responsibilities. Getting people to just accept reality, understand and embrace solutions that are actually realistic, and put the effort they require into them is my biggest struggle. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I own Great Lakes Custom Works, where we customize firearms specializing in polymer handgun modifications and “stippled” grips, Cerakote, and laser engraving. I recently started Minuteman Defense firearms training company, where we teach Michigan CPL and basic firearms courses. I am a certified firearms instructor through the NRA and USCCA in various disciplines as well as Chief Range Safety Officer through NRA for whatever all of that is worth. I am also the President of The American Confederation of Tactical shooter 2-gun match and have shot both rifle and pistol competitively for apx 12 years now. What sets me apart from others is my experience and mindset. I am a shooter not just a gun owner, I know what shooters need. I have a mindset of humble understanding, preparedness, and tenacity. I’ve spent a huge part of my life crafting and the honing skills and knowledge in an effort to be an asset to society instead of a liability, and I’m willing to pass those one to any who will simply listen. 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
That freedom is not free, and evil is never satisfied. We must remain constantly vigilant on both. That my skillset was woefully lacking and perishable, and as such, must constantly be improved upon and honed. 

Contact Info:

• Website: greatlakescustomworks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatlakescw/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatlakescustomworks
• Other: actsshooters.com