News Cecil Burch: Why Shooters Need Jiu-Jitsu (and Fighters Need Guns) | RECOIL Podcast Recoil Staff October 13, 2026 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. Cecil Burch, a third-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, founder of Immediate Action Combatives, and member of the ShivWorks Collective, joins host Tom Marshall on the RECOIL Podcast. Cecil has spent 48 years training martial arts and grew up shooting in Phoenix, and he explains why fighting and firearms belong in the same self-preservation toolbox. He covers his path from bullied asthmatic kid to national jiu-jitsu champion, how the ShivWorks Collective formed, where beginners should start, and the tools he actually carries. In this episode: Origins: bullied as a kid, starting karate as a teen, and his first dove hunt at age five Reluctant jiu-jitsu convert: a striker who hated BJJ in the late ’80s until he saw how well it worked Pan Ams to Brazil: the worst loss of his career and the four-month comeback to a silver medal at the International Masters Mastery is a road: plateaus, consistency, and why hitting a mile shot once doesn’t make it your baseline Immediate Action Combatives: grappling in a weapons-based environment and his Close Contact Handgun course The ShivWorks Collective: Craig Douglas, Larry Lindenman, Chris Fry, William Aprill, Paul Sharp, and how “the mafia” became a collective Martial artists vs. shooters: why each side dismisses the other, and how force-on-force testing settles the argument Where to start: a multidisciplinary approach covering combatives, shooting, health and vitality, pre-fight threat containment, medical, and legal Blind spots for experienced students: ego, small training groups, and checking yourself against people better than you Classes that shaped him: ECQC, Gunsite 250 with Jeff Cooper, Megaton Dias, and Gracie University Software over hardware: snub-nose revolvers, small fixed blades, OC spray, and choosing tools that fit your context Train with Cecil: IACombatives.com YouTube, Instagram & Facebook: Immediate Action Combatives Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
