Gun control
Nov 13th 2007, 1:46 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,717
Gun control
apparently it is all down to the front sight (according to the teachings of the aptly named Front Sight training school in Pahrump Nevada - www.FrontSight.com). I just arrived home after a grueling, but enjoyable, four day "defensive handgun course". The course covers all aspects from the moral when/if to use your fire arm, the legal implications (and how to deal with the police), proper gun control, and target acquisition. A typical day (7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with one day running until 8:30 p.m. for a night-shoot) was split 30% classroom and 70% range time.
Having arrived at Front Sight with my basic handgun skills, and a fairly high level of confidence in my ability, I was soon shown otherwise. The weekend course (split among many smaller groups) consisted of 300 or so people, with a broad demographic. The rather high class course fee's help keep the 'Billy Bob', shooting beer cans in the yard, people away. I teamed up with a fellow Brit from Devon who now runs a very large security firm in CA and a retired Federal agent. My shooting group of 39 people had a mix 70% who did not carry professionally, and 30% who did (a couple of marines, a small team off to Iraq for the first time, 3 cops and their boss, 2 armed guards).
After the first day of the course we moved in to drawing from concealment. Something I had never really considered. OK, I have a Concealed Carry License, but I had never really thought about what would happen if I needed to draw it quickly - could I draw it and shoot it on target fast enough to make a difference.
The schools claims of "two controlled shots from concealment in under 1.5 seconds" seemed a little unrealistic at first. Sure I had drawn fast at the shooting clubs and hit the target, but two controlled and on target shots from inside my jacket seemed a little too much to expect. Well, I was wrong. Day 4 saw almost the whole group delivering two controlled shots in under 1.5 seconds. Even when we moved back to 15 yards and the timer went up to 2.4 seconds we were able to deliver 2 controlled shots from concealed holster, followed by a single un-timed head shot. Learning to place two quick shots in the thoracic cavity, and if this failed to stop an assailant then a single shot to the cranio-ocular cavity.
For those not familiar with trapping the trigger (apparently I had always perviously 'slapped' the trigger) this is whereby you take the slack out as your present, then after delivering the first shot (with a surprise break - pulling the trigger steadily and trying to avoid the habit of anticipating the shot) you slowly release until you feel the first click as the action resets; at this point you reacquire the target and pull to a surprise break again. A lot quicker than sighting and pulling to shots from rest.
The eye opener in faster target acquisition, was to not look directly at the target. As you draw your weapon and point in, you focus on the front sight and leave the target out of focus. The surprise break and trigger trapping keep you on target and allow for fast recovery after the first shot.
I recommend anyone interested in shooting who has not attended one of these courses to do so. Especially if you own or intend to own a firearm. The training surpasses that given by the police and even regular military - I say this after meeting both police and military at the course.
Over 40 hours of training across the four days, with a lifetime of tools to build and grow on. No time of you course is wasted. Mornings start at 7 am and finish at 6 pm, your 40 minute lunch break has an optional lecture covering such things as choosing the right self defense gun etc.
If anyone would like more information about the courses they offer then drop me an email I will be glad to respond by email or phone call - whatever works for you. The courses are far from boot camp mentality, have a very broad demographic (generally wealthy professionals), WILL improve your skills, and are going to either give the you skills you need or build on the skills you have.
A 4 day course will run you $1,200. You can also buy various memberships that offer unlimited attendance to this and many other courses.
Having arrived at Front Sight with my basic handgun skills, and a fairly high level of confidence in my ability, I was soon shown otherwise. The weekend course (split among many smaller groups) consisted of 300 or so people, with a broad demographic. The rather high class course fee's help keep the 'Billy Bob', shooting beer cans in the yard, people away. I teamed up with a fellow Brit from Devon who now runs a very large security firm in CA and a retired Federal agent. My shooting group of 39 people had a mix 70% who did not carry professionally, and 30% who did (a couple of marines, a small team off to Iraq for the first time, 3 cops and their boss, 2 armed guards).
After the first day of the course we moved in to drawing from concealment. Something I had never really considered. OK, I have a Concealed Carry License, but I had never really thought about what would happen if I needed to draw it quickly - could I draw it and shoot it on target fast enough to make a difference.
The schools claims of "two controlled shots from concealment in under 1.5 seconds" seemed a little unrealistic at first. Sure I had drawn fast at the shooting clubs and hit the target, but two controlled and on target shots from inside my jacket seemed a little too much to expect. Well, I was wrong. Day 4 saw almost the whole group delivering two controlled shots in under 1.5 seconds. Even when we moved back to 15 yards and the timer went up to 2.4 seconds we were able to deliver 2 controlled shots from concealed holster, followed by a single un-timed head shot. Learning to place two quick shots in the thoracic cavity, and if this failed to stop an assailant then a single shot to the cranio-ocular cavity.
For those not familiar with trapping the trigger (apparently I had always perviously 'slapped' the trigger) this is whereby you take the slack out as your present, then after delivering the first shot (with a surprise break - pulling the trigger steadily and trying to avoid the habit of anticipating the shot) you slowly release until you feel the first click as the action resets; at this point you reacquire the target and pull to a surprise break again. A lot quicker than sighting and pulling to shots from rest.
The eye opener in faster target acquisition, was to not look directly at the target. As you draw your weapon and point in, you focus on the front sight and leave the target out of focus. The surprise break and trigger trapping keep you on target and allow for fast recovery after the first shot.
I recommend anyone interested in shooting who has not attended one of these courses to do so. Especially if you own or intend to own a firearm. The training surpasses that given by the police and even regular military - I say this after meeting both police and military at the course.
Over 40 hours of training across the four days, with a lifetime of tools to build and grow on. No time of you course is wasted. Mornings start at 7 am and finish at 6 pm, your 40 minute lunch break has an optional lecture covering such things as choosing the right self defense gun etc.
If anyone would like more information about the courses they offer then drop me an email I will be glad to respond by email or phone call - whatever works for you. The courses are far from boot camp mentality, have a very broad demographic (generally wealthy professionals), WILL improve your skills, and are going to either give the you skills you need or build on the skills you have.
A 4 day course will run you $1,200. You can also buy various memberships that offer unlimited attendance to this and many other courses.
Last edited by Pony; Nov 13th 2007 at 2:24 pm.
Nov 13th 2007, 2:12 pm
#2
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,174
Re: Gun control
sounds interesting...but holy shit....$1200?
Nov 13th 2007, 2:59 pm
#4
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: Gun control
Thanks for a very informative account of the class. Personally, if I were to do a formal class, I would really like to attend a Bruce Gray class as my spouse did earlier this year.
Plus, Bruce Gray classes cost less and the class size is smaller. I, not my spouse, highly recommends the Bruce Gray classes and I think you would gain even more knowledge and get more practical skills. Pity Bruce moved from CA last year. You just missed him.
Next stage for you, to keep up your skills, is to take up IDPA or similar competitive shooting.
You really need to move to NC where you'd be in your element with a surprisingly (to me at least) big shooting community.
Plus, Bruce Gray classes cost less and the class size is smaller. I, not my spouse, highly recommends the Bruce Gray classes and I think you would gain even more knowledge and get more practical skills. Pity Bruce moved from CA last year. You just missed him.
Next stage for you, to keep up your skills, is to take up IDPA or similar competitive shooting.
You really need to move to NC where you'd be in your element with a surprisingly (to me at least) big shooting community.
Nov 13th 2007, 3:04 pm
#5
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,220
Re: Gun control
Thanks for a very informative account of the class. Personally, if I were to do a formal class, I would really like to attend a Bruce Gray class as my spouse did earlier this year.
Plus, Bruce Gray classes cost less and the class size is smaller. I, not my spouse, highly recommends the Bruce Gray classes and I think you would gain even more knowledge and get more practical skills. Pity Bruce moved from CA last year. You just missed him.
Next stage for you, to keep up your skills, is to take up IDPA or similar competitive shooting.
You really need to move to NC where you'd be in your element with a surprisingly (to me at least) big shooting community.
Plus, Bruce Gray classes cost less and the class size is smaller. I, not my spouse, highly recommends the Bruce Gray classes and I think you would gain even more knowledge and get more practical skills. Pity Bruce moved from CA last year. You just missed him.
Next stage for you, to keep up your skills, is to take up IDPA or similar competitive shooting.
You really need to move to NC where you'd be in your element with a surprisingly (to me at least) big shooting community.
Nov 13th 2007, 3:05 pm
#6
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Nov 14th 2007, 5:42 am
#10
In yonder hills
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Nr. Lincoln, England
Posts: 4,132
Nov 14th 2007, 12:30 pm
#12
In yonder hills
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Nr. Lincoln, England
Posts: 4,132
Nov 14th 2007, 12:41 pm
#13
Not dead yet
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: In a world of my own where I know everyone
Posts: 15,042
Nov 14th 2007, 1:32 pm
#15
In yonder hills
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Nr. Lincoln, England
Posts: 4,132
Re: Gun control
In the US my wife has a magnum. Well trained, she knows how to use it (hopefully, never). Years back, my experienece was the SLR. Packed a punch!
Personally, I have no time for guns, but if needs must...
-------
Thydney... No contest intended, sir.
Personally, I have no time for guns, but if needs must...
-------
Thydney... No contest intended, sir.
