Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Never been a fan
of purse carry, your gun is always somewhere, but that somewhere means you should have control of it
If you carry in a purse, get one designed for carry, and keep it on your person.
If you carry in a purse, get one designed for carry, and keep it on your person.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Friday, December 26, 2014
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
A lady made a profound statement
"I can call the dog back, I can't call a bullet back"
Massad Ayoob "If your only tool is a hammer, soon all your problems look like nails"
I admit it is a hassle, and it is costly, but I believe adding a properly trained service dog, I'll have someone watching my back, She can hear and smell what I cannot see.
So just a salute to those warriors, that ask for so little.
Massad Ayoob "If your only tool is a hammer, soon all your problems look like nails"
I admit it is a hassle, and it is costly, but I believe adding a properly trained service dog, I'll have someone watching my back, She can hear and smell what I cannot see.
So just a salute to those warriors, that ask for so little.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Another new addition to Mad Duck Training
Meet Koda, as soon as he is old enough, he will join his sister Mags, in Certified Service and Protection training.
His older sister
His older sister
Really?
If you are going to carry, at least invest in a decent gun, and holster, and even though Arizona does not require it, taking a class can't hurt.
Really it is a wonder he had not shot himself already.
Really it is a wonder he had not shot himself already.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014
Get a grip
On your slide
For those with weak hands the extra purchase on the gun would aid in racking, plus when your hands are wet or cold might be that extra bit to get your gun back into action. Sheepdog knives and guns can install these.
Not the way I have always done it.
Some thoughts on not wasting your training dollars
Training is not just a monetary investment, it is an investment of your time too. Now do keep in mind that at least 75% of learning takes place after the event. You are not going to learn new things in class, you will be shown new things in class, to really learn them you have to practice them the way they were taught in class.
When I trained with Todd Jarrett in 2008, throughout the weekend Todd kept coming to me, saying "Just try it the way I showed you", and I replied "I'm trying too"
I came home and for 4 weeks shot one box of ammo a day, mentally working on what he had shown me till I got it right, and even 6 years later those old bad habits still show up, but in working on what was shown, I did become a better shooter. It is not like flipping a switch, you have to un-learn things sometimes to make space for new information.
Training is not just a monetary investment, it is an investment of your time too. Now do keep in mind that at least 75% of learning takes place after the event. You are not going to learn new things in class, you will be shown new things in class, to really learn them you have to practice them the way they were taught in class.
When I trained with Todd Jarrett in 2008, throughout the weekend Todd kept coming to me, saying "Just try it the way I showed you", and I replied "I'm trying too"
I came home and for 4 weeks shot one box of ammo a day, mentally working on what he had shown me till I got it right, and even 6 years later those old bad habits still show up, but in working on what was shown, I did become a better shooter. It is not like flipping a switch, you have to un-learn things sometimes to make space for new information.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Tuesday, December 09, 2014
Monday, December 08, 2014
Wednesday, December 03, 2014
Monday, December 01, 2014
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Thursday, November 27, 2014
No One is Unarmed
Something we all need to be clear about, NO one is unarmed.In 2013 of homicides reported to the FBI, 687 were with personal weapons (Hands & Feet), there were 169,644 Aggravated Assaults committed with personal weapons (Hands & Feet) Aggravated Assault is when the attack is so viscous that the victim never fully recovers, they may be crippled, blind or in some other way handicapped the rest of their lives. http://www.fbi.gov/…/crime-in-t…/2013/crime-in-the-u.s.-2013
I'd also suggest one review the BJS Crime victim Survey, this study covers all the major violent crimes except homicide http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv13.pdf
I'd also suggest one review the BJS Crime victim Survey, this study covers all the major violent crimes except homicide http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv13.pdf
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Monday, November 24, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Hojutsu Returning to Mad Duck Training
July 17-19
Details TBA
Light on martial arts heavy on shooting
Details TBA
Why I'm not a fan
Of public ranges
20 plus years ago at a public range, I was stepping up to the firing line and to my right I saw a guy explaining something to his girlfriend who was holding a shotgun, The problem was she had it pointed straight down the firing line. Just as I stepped back, she pulled the trigger, and the load of shot sailed right through where I had been standing, and there was no one to my left. They quickly packed up and left, but didn't even a apologize for their negligence.
20 plus years ago at a public range, I was stepping up to the firing line and to my right I saw a guy explaining something to his girlfriend who was holding a shotgun, The problem was she had it pointed straight down the firing line. Just as I stepped back, she pulled the trigger, and the load of shot sailed right through where I had been standing, and there was no one to my left. They quickly packed up and left, but didn't even a apologize for their negligence.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
Sig Arm Brace
Still legal on an AR pistol
Of course that does not mean the ATF won't change their mind on that too
Of course that does not mean the ATF won't change their mind on that too
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Monday, November 17, 2014
Friday, November 14, 2014
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Monday, November 03, 2014
Might spread the word
There are better ways to store (hide) your gat than in your carry on bag, They make all shapes and sizes of security boxes and safes, for guns.
Saturday, November 01, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Friday, October 24, 2014
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Monday, October 20, 2014
Thursday, October 09, 2014
Friday, October 03, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Friday, September 19, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Monday, September 15, 2014
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Friday, September 12, 2014
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Well I'll bet it involved a
Finger
Do not just put it in your pocket, or waistband, use a proper holster that covers the trigger guard
Do not just put it in your pocket, or waistband, use a proper holster that covers the trigger guard
Tuesday, September 09, 2014
You have to control one inch
Really that is all we are saying, maybe with the exception of double barrels, most guns are less than an inch across at the muzzle, you just have to keep that one inch pointed in a safe direction.
If this was indeed an accident, he had to break 2 rules of gun safety, actually 3
1. All guns are loaded, Always
2. Always keep guns pointed in safe direction
3. Always keep your finger off the trigger
It seems the common thread in a lot of these accidents, gun is jammed, and in trying to clear it, people move the gun around focused on the problem , rather than on safe handling, often times creating a much bigger issue than a stuck slide.
No matter what you are doing with a gun, ALWAYS be aware of that one inch on the front end
If this was indeed an accident, he had to break 2 rules of gun safety, actually 3
1. All guns are loaded, Always
2. Always keep guns pointed in safe direction
3. Always keep your finger off the trigger
It seems the common thread in a lot of these accidents, gun is jammed, and in trying to clear it, people move the gun around focused on the problem , rather than on safe handling, often times creating a much bigger issue than a stuck slide.
No matter what you are doing with a gun, ALWAYS be aware of that one inch on the front end
Sunday, September 07, 2014
Friday, September 05, 2014
Thursday, September 04, 2014
Tuesday, September 02, 2014
Monday, September 01, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Training vs Competition
Views here
My take is, there is no training that replicates true, life or death consequences. Really unless there is some horrible neglect act, everyone knows they are going home after a training session. Even when you consider force on force training, everyone knows they will go home, abit there may be a few bruises on body body and ego, but very seldom are body bags put to use.
With competition, you learn to run the gun, and with 3 gun, IDPA etc you learn to move, and the "cover" may be flimsy 1/2 inch plywood, you do learn to make use of cover, and even in training where cover was used it was plastic barrels, and 1/2 inch plywood barricades in any course I've attended.
Competition can be cost effective, attend the local IDPA match, entry fee is $15, and you might run through $50 worth of ammo, plus gas and lunch, you'll likely have some change out of a C note.
Formal training can get expensive, it can run from $150-$200 a day, you'll likely blow through an entire case of ammo, and unless it is local, you'll have motel etc, It is not hard to get north of a $1000 pretty quick.
Now if you are the average guy, with a family and house payments it is a lot easier to come up with a $100 than a thousand, and it sure beats just going to a commercial range where you plant your feet, and shoot all from the ready, at a rate of fire set by the range, now no bitching, they are at the mercy of the insurance companies, and while you may know your way around your smoke wagon, there will be 95 others that visit the range that are not, and you only have to go to the local range to see that.
I'm not saying you shouldn't take training, in fact you really should, a good instructor weather he is local, regional or nationally known, will tune you up, he or she will advise on ways to be quicker, and more accurate. they will see the mistakes that you do not realize you are making.
There are merits to both training and competition, and it is a matter of finding a balance, is competition tactical? Yes & no, a match can have tactical aspects too it, but there is nothing tactically sound, of one guy going up against 40 bad guys either. For training a lot of drills are based in some way on actual gunfights, and they can be timed to induce stress, but it is a different stress, and in classes you may be timed but you don't always know how you stack up even with those you are attending with.
Competition does force you to think, training often does not. In a match you have to think how you are going to shoot a stage, yes I know gunfights are unpredictable. But in a lot of training you are told exactly what to do, in many of my classes, as we get farther into the class, I often describe the drill, then get ask by students how do I want them to do it, and my reply is it is your gunfight, figure it out.
My take is, there is no training that replicates true, life or death consequences. Really unless there is some horrible neglect act, everyone knows they are going home after a training session. Even when you consider force on force training, everyone knows they will go home, abit there may be a few bruises on body body and ego, but very seldom are body bags put to use.
With competition, you learn to run the gun, and with 3 gun, IDPA etc you learn to move, and the "cover" may be flimsy 1/2 inch plywood, you do learn to make use of cover, and even in training where cover was used it was plastic barrels, and 1/2 inch plywood barricades in any course I've attended.
Competition can be cost effective, attend the local IDPA match, entry fee is $15, and you might run through $50 worth of ammo, plus gas and lunch, you'll likely have some change out of a C note.
Formal training can get expensive, it can run from $150-$200 a day, you'll likely blow through an entire case of ammo, and unless it is local, you'll have motel etc, It is not hard to get north of a $1000 pretty quick.
Now if you are the average guy, with a family and house payments it is a lot easier to come up with a $100 than a thousand, and it sure beats just going to a commercial range where you plant your feet, and shoot all from the ready, at a rate of fire set by the range, now no bitching, they are at the mercy of the insurance companies, and while you may know your way around your smoke wagon, there will be 95 others that visit the range that are not, and you only have to go to the local range to see that.
I'm not saying you shouldn't take training, in fact you really should, a good instructor weather he is local, regional or nationally known, will tune you up, he or she will advise on ways to be quicker, and more accurate. they will see the mistakes that you do not realize you are making.
There are merits to both training and competition, and it is a matter of finding a balance, is competition tactical? Yes & no, a match can have tactical aspects too it, but there is nothing tactically sound, of one guy going up against 40 bad guys either. For training a lot of drills are based in some way on actual gunfights, and they can be timed to induce stress, but it is a different stress, and in classes you may be timed but you don't always know how you stack up even with those you are attending with.
Competition does force you to think, training often does not. In a match you have to think how you are going to shoot a stage, yes I know gunfights are unpredictable. But in a lot of training you are told exactly what to do, in many of my classes, as we get farther into the class, I often describe the drill, then get ask by students how do I want them to do it, and my reply is it is your gunfight, figure it out.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Friday, August 15, 2014
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Sunday, August 03, 2014
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
All guns are loaded
Until you have properly cleared them
Safe direction and booger hook rules still apply, even empty treat it as loaded
Safe direction and booger hook rules still apply, even empty treat it as loaded
Monday, July 28, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Hojutsu
I had the pleasure of hosting, and taking the 3 day Hojutsu class from Soke Jeff Hall, and Sensi's Norman Hood, and (guest instructor) LT Col (ret) Dave Grossman, this past weekend.
Hojutsu is the Japanese Martial art of gunnery, Hall has modernized it and it is now referred to as The Art of Shooting"
While many are under the impression that being a "Martial Art" there is a lot of kung foo or judo involved, but at this level there are some very minor movements, and turns, more of an introduction to the art, as one progresses they can get more hands on if they wish. As practiced today, Hojutsu is the combination of the Modern Technique and traditional Japanese budo.
Hojutsu is the Japanese Martial art of gunnery, Hall has modernized it and it is now referred to as The Art of Shooting"
While many are under the impression that being a "Martial Art" there is a lot of kung foo or judo involved, but at this level there are some very minor movements, and turns, more of an introduction to the art, as one progresses they can get more hands on if they wish. As practiced today, Hojutsu is the combination of the Modern Technique and traditional Japanese budo.
Hojutsu trains in handgun, rifle, shotgun, sub-machine gun, and precision rifle; they also train in unarmed defense, various impact weapons, edged weapons, and ground fighting. However, Hojutsu is primarily a shooting art. Note emphasis is on shooting, and it pushes the student to be not only faster , but more accurate in shooting.
The favored platform is the 1911, but any caliber or brand of firearm is acceptable, even 22's, 2 students shot the program using 22's, as Soke Hall said 10 fast good hits with a 22 are more effective than a lousy hit with a 50 caliber.
The course of fire extends from 2 yards, all the way back to 50, with a good bit of the shooting done at 25 yards, but there was also plenty at 3-5 and 7 yards.
I highly recommend this course to anyone that is looking at challenging themselves, and pushing themselves to a higher level.
The instructors were excellent, they seemed to be everywhere, and most of the time encouraging, as well as giving them suggestions and tips on how to perform better, it really was one of the best courses I've attended.
The nerve I pinched in 2011 returned with a vengeance, so my shooting was not up to par, when it hurts to draw and fire, last month I shot over 90% in the Rangemaster Instructor course, but was barely keeping it at 85% this time around. I earned an orange belt which was more an award for attending the course. but it is definitely a course I will consider taking again
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Gun Porn
My team works hard, and sometimes with little to no pay. I decided to build each an AR-15 to match them, Lisa is into Pink, Jim is really into zombies, and John is a US Marine
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Thursday, July 10, 2014
You can't fix the bullet fired
Mental Attitude in fighting to win
"Mistakes will occur, which means we have to learn to correct and compensate as necessary, continuing with your primary task. Our natural instinct is to stop, pause, or self criticize. In a confrontation there is no time for this. During practice, when you make a mistake, you fix it, ignoring the mistake, only focusing on the corrections necessary."
"Mistakes will occur, which means we have to learn to correct and compensate as necessary, continuing with your primary task. Our natural instinct is to stop, pause, or self criticize. In a confrontation there is no time for this. During practice, when you make a mistake, you fix it, ignoring the mistake, only focusing on the corrections necessary."
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
1.4 million is low estimate
It is extremely likely the number is closer to 3 million
The FBI report was in 2011, and indicated a 40% increase, if it has continued to grow at that rate 3 million may be low
The FBI report was in 2011, and indicated a 40% increase, if it has continued to grow at that rate 3 million may be low
Tuesday, July 08, 2014
Hojutsu
Hojustsu, the Japanese Martial Art of shooting is coming to Mad Duck Training, July 19/20/21st, Guest Instructor Lt Col (ret) Dave Grossman, author of ON COMBAT, and Soke Jeff Hall We expect to run 800-1000 rounds, course is only $375 for 2 and half days of training, contact us now to reserve a spot training@madduckttc.net
We have a few spots open
Monday, July 07, 2014
Saturday, July 05, 2014
Friday, July 04, 2014
Training Fallacies
John Johnston has a look
My personal take on it is that yes! a lot of people with little to no training were able to prevail were number one reason, they prevailed?, they had a gun, the vast majority of criminals are those looking for an opportunity, they are not looking for a fight.. When suddenly confronted by an armed victim, they realize they have more pressing manners elsewhere. Which in studies are considered "Defensive Gun Use" such as Gary Kleck's studies, we are using guns 3 million times a year to stop what may have become a violent crime, in over *90% of the cases shots are not fired, in around 8% shots were fired, and nothing was hit., of course at the point the would-be criminal now knows the intended victim, is not really a victim at all, has a gun, and beats feet, in most cases.
In the 2006 FBI study of assaults on Police Officers, they found : 40% of the criminal attackers received formal firearms training, over 80% regularly practiced with firearms (averaging 23 practice sessions a year), more than 40% had at least one gunfight experience, and 25% had been involved in more than 5 gunfights. Of course in most law enforcement shootings the officer is in the process, of arresting someone who does not want to go to jail, and they fight to avoid going, and the dynamics of most LE shooting are different than those of civilians.
So when people tell me they hope they get lucky if they get in a gunfight, I tell them first off being in a gunfight is not being lucky, and if luck is involved, it is the attacker does not have the will to press on in the faced of armed resistance.
Yes in most cases the citizen with little to no training will prevail, if they have a gun, and have the wits to produce the gun, the criminal will seek greener pastures
For me I don't want the least going into a fight, I want the most, to insure my winning the fight.
In a lifetime, people will spend thousands and thousands of dollars on insurance, and the majority will never have their house burn down, or be involved in a car wreck, but balk at the thought of getting defensive training, spending a few hundred a year preparing themselves for something most pray never happens.
I'd never had fun writing those checks to those insurance companies, but I have had a lot of fun in defensive shooting classes, that help insure my safety.
But the choice is your's if you feel what you have in training, mindset, equipment, etc are enough, then I wish you the best, but if you have doubt consider taking a course once a year.
My personal take on it is that yes! a lot of people with little to no training were able to prevail were number one reason, they prevailed?, they had a gun, the vast majority of criminals are those looking for an opportunity, they are not looking for a fight.. When suddenly confronted by an armed victim, they realize they have more pressing manners elsewhere. Which in studies are considered "Defensive Gun Use" such as Gary Kleck's studies, we are using guns 3 million times a year to stop what may have become a violent crime, in over *90% of the cases shots are not fired, in around 8% shots were fired, and nothing was hit., of course at the point the would-be criminal now knows the intended victim, is not really a victim at all, has a gun, and beats feet, in most cases.
In the 2006 FBI study of assaults on Police Officers, they found : 40% of the criminal attackers received formal firearms training, over 80% regularly practiced with firearms (averaging 23 practice sessions a year), more than 40% had at least one gunfight experience, and 25% had been involved in more than 5 gunfights. Of course in most law enforcement shootings the officer is in the process, of arresting someone who does not want to go to jail, and they fight to avoid going, and the dynamics of most LE shooting are different than those of civilians.
So when people tell me they hope they get lucky if they get in a gunfight, I tell them first off being in a gunfight is not being lucky, and if luck is involved, it is the attacker does not have the will to press on in the faced of armed resistance.
Yes in most cases the citizen with little to no training will prevail, if they have a gun, and have the wits to produce the gun, the criminal will seek greener pastures
For me I don't want the least going into a fight, I want the most, to insure my winning the fight.
In a lifetime, people will spend thousands and thousands of dollars on insurance, and the majority will never have their house burn down, or be involved in a car wreck, but balk at the thought of getting defensive training, spending a few hundred a year preparing themselves for something most pray never happens.
I'd never had fun writing those checks to those insurance companies, but I have had a lot of fun in defensive shooting classes, that help insure my safety.
But the choice is your's if you feel what you have in training, mindset, equipment, etc are enough, then I wish you the best, but if you have doubt consider taking a course once a year.
Thursday, July 03, 2014
So the military is shopping
The MHS would replace the Army's inventory of more than 200,000 outdated M9 pistols and several thousand M11 9mm pistols with one that has greater accuracy, lethality, reliability and durability
While being up front, I am still a fan of the 1911, single action platform.
I do understand the shortcomings of the design, for military, it needs a lot of maintenance, there are a lot of parts some need to be fitted, and it does not have a large capacity, in a single stack design, and while it has served well for 100 years, something newer may will fit the needs of the military better.
Perhaps it is time for the Military to adopt a striker fired pistol, in somewhat quoting Jeff Cooper, traditional double action pistols were the answer to a question not asked. The M9 and M11 getting off a first good shot is tough, I'm sure the pistols are very accurate, they are just really hard to learn to shoot accurately, going to a striker fired system, would give them a lighter, more consistent trigger pull, which should lead to better accuracy, which is paramount in being able to hit the important parts, that make people want to be somewhere else.
After 25 years the striker fired platforms have shown themselves to be pretty reliable and durable, with very little maintenance. They have fewer parts for inventory, techs can be trained in one to two days to repair them. With many of the newer ones the grip size is adjustable, to actually fit a wide variety of shooters, over all grip size being one of the complaints with the M9.
As to caliber maybe they need a new bullet rather than a different caliber. 9 mm is a good caliber, but standard FMJ's simply suck at stopping people, issue something like the Federal EFMJ, instead of standard 124 grain NATO hard ball ammo.
But the bottom line is they need to actually train people, not just qualify them, but train them how to use a handgun, and being the military I'm not sure that would happen across the board. Training is just not the cost of ammo, but scheduling and budgets and keeping paperwork to make sure those carrying handguns, are proficient, beyond lobbing 2 magazines of ammo at a rather large sheet of paper.
While being up front, I am still a fan of the 1911, single action platform.
I do understand the shortcomings of the design, for military, it needs a lot of maintenance, there are a lot of parts some need to be fitted, and it does not have a large capacity, in a single stack design, and while it has served well for 100 years, something newer may will fit the needs of the military better.
Perhaps it is time for the Military to adopt a striker fired pistol, in somewhat quoting Jeff Cooper, traditional double action pistols were the answer to a question not asked. The M9 and M11 getting off a first good shot is tough, I'm sure the pistols are very accurate, they are just really hard to learn to shoot accurately, going to a striker fired system, would give them a lighter, more consistent trigger pull, which should lead to better accuracy, which is paramount in being able to hit the important parts, that make people want to be somewhere else.
After 25 years the striker fired platforms have shown themselves to be pretty reliable and durable, with very little maintenance. They have fewer parts for inventory, techs can be trained in one to two days to repair them. With many of the newer ones the grip size is adjustable, to actually fit a wide variety of shooters, over all grip size being one of the complaints with the M9.
As to caliber maybe they need a new bullet rather than a different caliber. 9 mm is a good caliber, but standard FMJ's simply suck at stopping people, issue something like the Federal EFMJ, instead of standard 124 grain NATO hard ball ammo.
But the bottom line is they need to actually train people, not just qualify them, but train them how to use a handgun, and being the military I'm not sure that would happen across the board. Training is just not the cost of ammo, but scheduling and budgets and keeping paperwork to make sure those carrying handguns, are proficient, beyond lobbing 2 magazines of ammo at a rather large sheet of paper.
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Loose use of words
First off two does not make for mass, second they have all those great gun laws in Illinois, and 3rd, as Wayne Lapierre says the way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun, and off duty he is a civilian
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Monday, June 09, 2014
You have a CCW License
So what??
Most CCW courses are basic safety classes, I've seen many I wonder if safety is even taught that well.
Please do not fool yourself into thinking you are trained to fight just because the state issued you a license
When the rubber meets the road, a lot can be going on, and basic training may not save you, I don't know how much training Mr Wilcox had, , and he may have changed the course of the event, but he lost.
Most CCW courses are basic safety classes, I've seen many I wonder if safety is even taught that well.
Please do not fool yourself into thinking you are trained to fight just because the state issued you a license
When the rubber meets the road, a lot can be going on, and basic training may not save you, I don't know how much training Mr Wilcox had, , and he may have changed the course of the event, but he lost.
Rangemaster Instructor Course
Well Mad Duck Training, hosted the 3 day Instructor Development Workshop, this past weekend, and although really would have liked to have shot better, passed both of the shooting qualifications on the first attempt.
This is a tough course put on by Tom Givens, and his team, this time around his wife Lynn, and John Heard.
Givens has high expectations if you want to be called a Rangemaster Instructor, and do not expect to be coddled, if you sign up for this course.
You need to really know how to properly draw, and you will need to know how to shoot fast, and accurately. You should also be proficient at making reloads, & clearing stoppages. You also need to have your gear squared away, and have it in working order. Most importantly you have to be safe.
Be prepared to listen, and although what you are being taught may be different that what you have learned before, do not fight the new information, You are not paying to hear the same information. You are not paying to hear the same information from a different instructor, you are there to listen to his methods.
Highly recommend you have electronic ear muffs, and spare batteries, so you can both listen, and hear the shooting commands.
Highly recommend you have a back up gun identical to the primary you brought to class, at least 2 students had gun issues, and had to switch to completely different guns to complete the course, and they had to struggle to keep up on time etc.
Magazines, when a course list at least 3 magazines, it does not mean only bring 3 magazines, it means bring at least 3, Givens tells you to have loose ammo in your pocket to top off mags on the line to save time, in the Instructor course you are also expected to watch and coach another student all 3 days, so having only 3 mags, means you are always busy. Also load your mags one round shy of full, it makes them much easier to seat and lock, if the slide is closed. Did see several load, then on the next drill have their magazine drop out on the first round. I always went to the line with at least 9 loaded magazines, which literally gave me time to rest, plus an additional 6 loaded in my range bag, so even when the class did run out of "pocket ammo" and had to go reload, I didn't have to rush as much, and had the time to sit or take an extra drink of water. After all a 3 day class is a marathon, not a sprint.
Take good ammo, yeah I know ammo is hard to get, but you are spending 3 days of your life, and paying a pretty good fee to take the class, why cut corners on ammo, and the class wasn't posted yesterday so you have had time.
It is best not to arrive "on time", get there a bit early so you are not rushed, yeah I had it a bit easier as I was hosting, but I've taken enough classes, that being rushed first thing in the morning, can affect the entire day.
In the Rangemaster IDW course, you are given a workbook, so after class it pays to study it at least some, and you have to make a presentation, and you have to pass a written test. So class isn't over when class is over.
You'll also need to clean your equipment, Friday after class I cleaned my CQB, and decided to replace the recoil spring, with a brand I had not used before, my mid morning Saturday, I was having failure to go into battery, ammo or spring?, no time to find out and finished the weekend with my S&W Pro Series.
Several guns had issues over the weekend, one was a 1911 in 9mm, but the student had without really looking brought some 45 Auto magazines, another with a 1911 was having issues of the gun not locking back after an empty magazine, and not feeding, but after class, ran 6 magazines through it with no issues, one M&P had several failures to fire, not sure if it was ammo, or lack of maintenance, and at least one Glock had a feed issue, that I saw first hand.
We provide beverages, and snacks, and order or provide lunch everyday, so that takes one thing off the shoulder of the students having to do or prepare for. Do not assume anything when taking advanced classes, either ask questions before you get there or go fully prepared to take care of yourself.
So here is my check list if you are planning an to attend an advanced course
1. Spare gun identical to the one you plan to use
2. Magazines plenty of them
3. Quality ammo
4. Quality holster, and a proper belt
5. Magazine pouches or carriers
6. A hat with a brim
7. Electronic Earmuffs
8. Spare batteries
9. Water & perhaps a snack
10. A folding chair
11. Sun screen, and bug juice
12. An open mind, & an open ear
If in doubt pack it, you can always bring it home
This is a tough course put on by Tom Givens, and his team, this time around his wife Lynn, and John Heard.
Givens has high expectations if you want to be called a Rangemaster Instructor, and do not expect to be coddled, if you sign up for this course.
You need to really know how to properly draw, and you will need to know how to shoot fast, and accurately. You should also be proficient at making reloads, & clearing stoppages. You also need to have your gear squared away, and have it in working order. Most importantly you have to be safe.
Be prepared to listen, and although what you are being taught may be different that what you have learned before, do not fight the new information, You are not paying to hear the same information. You are not paying to hear the same information from a different instructor, you are there to listen to his methods.
Highly recommend you have electronic ear muffs, and spare batteries, so you can both listen, and hear the shooting commands.
Highly recommend you have a back up gun identical to the primary you brought to class, at least 2 students had gun issues, and had to switch to completely different guns to complete the course, and they had to struggle to keep up on time etc.
Magazines, when a course list at least 3 magazines, it does not mean only bring 3 magazines, it means bring at least 3, Givens tells you to have loose ammo in your pocket to top off mags on the line to save time, in the Instructor course you are also expected to watch and coach another student all 3 days, so having only 3 mags, means you are always busy. Also load your mags one round shy of full, it makes them much easier to seat and lock, if the slide is closed. Did see several load, then on the next drill have their magazine drop out on the first round. I always went to the line with at least 9 loaded magazines, which literally gave me time to rest, plus an additional 6 loaded in my range bag, so even when the class did run out of "pocket ammo" and had to go reload, I didn't have to rush as much, and had the time to sit or take an extra drink of water. After all a 3 day class is a marathon, not a sprint.
Take good ammo, yeah I know ammo is hard to get, but you are spending 3 days of your life, and paying a pretty good fee to take the class, why cut corners on ammo, and the class wasn't posted yesterday so you have had time.
It is best not to arrive "on time", get there a bit early so you are not rushed, yeah I had it a bit easier as I was hosting, but I've taken enough classes, that being rushed first thing in the morning, can affect the entire day.
In the Rangemaster IDW course, you are given a workbook, so after class it pays to study it at least some, and you have to make a presentation, and you have to pass a written test. So class isn't over when class is over.
You'll also need to clean your equipment, Friday after class I cleaned my CQB, and decided to replace the recoil spring, with a brand I had not used before, my mid morning Saturday, I was having failure to go into battery, ammo or spring?, no time to find out and finished the weekend with my S&W Pro Series.
Several guns had issues over the weekend, one was a 1911 in 9mm, but the student had without really looking brought some 45 Auto magazines, another with a 1911 was having issues of the gun not locking back after an empty magazine, and not feeding, but after class, ran 6 magazines through it with no issues, one M&P had several failures to fire, not sure if it was ammo, or lack of maintenance, and at least one Glock had a feed issue, that I saw first hand.
We provide beverages, and snacks, and order or provide lunch everyday, so that takes one thing off the shoulder of the students having to do or prepare for. Do not assume anything when taking advanced classes, either ask questions before you get there or go fully prepared to take care of yourself.
So here is my check list if you are planning an to attend an advanced course
1. Spare gun identical to the one you plan to use
2. Magazines plenty of them
3. Quality ammo
4. Quality holster, and a proper belt
5. Magazine pouches or carriers
6. A hat with a brim
7. Electronic Earmuffs
8. Spare batteries
9. Water & perhaps a snack
10. A folding chair
11. Sun screen, and bug juice
12. An open mind, & an open ear
If in doubt pack it, you can always bring it home
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