Products
| Interview// Tactical Replicas |
Mar 2010 |
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Today, we interviewed Larry McCalip about his company Tactical Replicas.
Why did you decide to start Tactical Replicas?
Tactical Replicas was started as a retail end of Shootout Sports, which is the parent company I started several years ago that also includes Training Solutions which is our tactical equipment rental and OPFOR service to law enforcement, training institutions and so forth.
I am very demanding of my equipment as well as hard on it. I treat my equipment as tools and I am always looking for the best new items. With that in mind I wanted to be able to offer quality items and expertise of those items to players and to also be able to help new and established teams/individuals to get the most out of their paintball dollars spent.
Most retailers sell every new item that comes to out but never use any of it themselves. How can you honestly sell an item that you do not have any knowledge of? Each item that I sell either myself, my team mates or members of one of my promoted teams has used and approves of.
Also a large part of and the main focus from the start of Tactical Replicas is what I refer to as team promotions. I like the fact that I am able to assist teams with bulk purchases and special order items. It is one way of giving back to the sport that I have been playing since 1986 and has meant so much to me over the years.
I am currently promoting Milsim Empire, Milsim Brotherhood and the NWStrykers, Skeleton Warriors, Team Bad Karma, NY's Finest Paintball teams and of course our team the SOS Operators.
Someone who doesn’t play walks up to you and asks, “What is Milsim paintball?”
I love this question.. To me it is the simulation of military units and action through uniform, equipment, tactics and themed gaming. Also part of the simulation has to be limited paintball quantities and markers that closely resemble real steel.
To really enjoy Milsim paintball you have to get into the role and that is where enjoyment comes to life. Milsim games are themed usually, from WWII to modern day conflicts and you have to play the part. It's like being a kid again, dressing up as a soldier, bad guy or a villager only with much cooler toys! It is easy to go from being a US Marine one day to a Spetsnaz soldier or Taliban just by changing your clothes.
Nothing else like getting into a role, really anyone who plans to play Milsim has to try it, they will be hooked!
What dream military item would you like to see adapted for paintball?
Hands down helicopters! How how badass would it be to ride into battle in a CH53, Blackhawk or a Huey? But realistically the incorporation of APC's and Humvee's would be pretty cool as well and more feasible. I'm still trying to convince the powers that be that a surplus Humvee with one of Eric Engler's Ma Duce's on top would be a good investment for the business.
With things so tough in the paintball economy, how do you as a business owner keep customers walking in the door?
Easy, quality personal service coupled with fair pricing and a knowledge of the products. Being able to service items sold is a big key factor also. At events I generally service about a dozen markers, most of them I didn't sell in the first place. It is all about service, honesty and fairness people remember that.
Even with that the economy has been rough on us, but I have the best loyal customers from all over the world any shop owner could ever wish to have. Word of mouth by these customers is the best advertisement I could ever ask for.
First thing that comes to your mind that you’d like to see change in the game of rec/scenario paintball?
I would like to see rec/scenario be just that, recreational.
It is not about the prizes, money or sponsorships that come with winning a rec/scenario series. I cringe every time I see a new league start up, it seems that some think of the rec/scenario scene as a new way to make money off the sport or to try and merge the recreational side to the tourney side. The worst thing in my opinion to happen to paintball was adding money into the equation.
After all it is recreational and scenarios should be about the theme of the game. The things that should be taken home after a weekend of rec/scenario play should be memories and friendships.
http://www.tacticalreplicas.com
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