BassCliff
Professional
Hi,
Even though I've taken this course before, I like re-taking these classes just for the practice and repetition. Besides getting this stuff ingrained into muscle memory, I usually end up learning something new, having an epiphany, or just going, "Duh! I remember that now!"
It was a full class so we all lined up in front of a target for some warm-up drills. We did several drills with movement and different scenarios at distances between three and fifteen yards.
I used my EDC XD9 and some Blazer Brass 124 grain. It's my favorite (reasonably priced) ammo to train with.
We started just shooting on command, either a "Gun!" command (three to five shots center mass) or a number (one shot on that number).
The overarching lesson for tonight was a balance of speed and accuracy. For some reason my gun did not want to shoot anything red. Circles #1 and #6 were untouched, at first.
We did some close quarters drills (3-5 yards), five shots on different areas of the target with increasing speed.
The pace for #1 was bang-1000-bang-1000-bang-etc. The pace for #2 was bang-one-bang-one-bang-etc. The pace for #3 was bang-bang-bang-etc. Those high shots on #3 happened after my emergency reload. I didn't quite get the sights re-aligned. The pace for #6 was just as fast as we could pull the trigger, bangbangbangetc. I think that one turned out to be my best group.
OK, time for new targets for more drills.
Supposing your strong hand was injured, how many of you have practiced picking up your gun with your off-hand while keeping your eye on the threat? Then getting shots on the threat with your off-hand? We practiced this scenario a few times.
For some cognitive stress, the instructors set up a couple of barrels for us to walk around.
While we were walking around they would yell a word or phrase that corresponded to a target containing a shape, a number, a letter, and we had to find the referenced item and hit either center mass with 3 to 5 or a single head shot.
Then we'd have to reverse direction and listen for obscure clues as to which target to hit.
What added to the stress for me was the fact that my Howard Leight ear muffs seems to amplify the fan noise on the range so I could not hear the commands very well. I may have to invest in other active hearing protection.
For our last couple of drills the class was split in half. We started with some 90° and 180° pivots and putting hits on target at different distances. Then we, as a group, ran back and forth between the 3 yard and 15 yard line. At any point we would be commanded to put hits on target. We might have to pivot and then ensure our line was such that no one was in an unsafe position before pulling the trigger.
There are some sharp cookies in this group. Many of us have taken several classes together over the past year. Everyone kept safe and had a good time. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
Even though I've taken this course before, I like re-taking these classes just for the practice and repetition. Besides getting this stuff ingrained into muscle memory, I usually end up learning something new, having an epiphany, or just going, "Duh! I remember that now!"
It was a full class so we all lined up in front of a target for some warm-up drills. We did several drills with movement and different scenarios at distances between three and fifteen yards.
I used my EDC XD9 and some Blazer Brass 124 grain. It's my favorite (reasonably priced) ammo to train with.
We started just shooting on command, either a "Gun!" command (three to five shots center mass) or a number (one shot on that number).
The overarching lesson for tonight was a balance of speed and accuracy. For some reason my gun did not want to shoot anything red. Circles #1 and #6 were untouched, at first.
We did some close quarters drills (3-5 yards), five shots on different areas of the target with increasing speed.
The pace for #1 was bang-1000-bang-1000-bang-etc. The pace for #2 was bang-one-bang-one-bang-etc. The pace for #3 was bang-bang-bang-etc. Those high shots on #3 happened after my emergency reload. I didn't quite get the sights re-aligned. The pace for #6 was just as fast as we could pull the trigger, bangbangbangetc. I think that one turned out to be my best group.
OK, time for new targets for more drills.
Supposing your strong hand was injured, how many of you have practiced picking up your gun with your off-hand while keeping your eye on the threat? Then getting shots on the threat with your off-hand? We practiced this scenario a few times.
For some cognitive stress, the instructors set up a couple of barrels for us to walk around.
While we were walking around they would yell a word or phrase that corresponded to a target containing a shape, a number, a letter, and we had to find the referenced item and hit either center mass with 3 to 5 or a single head shot.
Then we'd have to reverse direction and listen for obscure clues as to which target to hit.
What added to the stress for me was the fact that my Howard Leight ear muffs seems to amplify the fan noise on the range so I could not hear the commands very well. I may have to invest in other active hearing protection.
For our last couple of drills the class was split in half. We started with some 90° and 180° pivots and putting hits on target at different distances. Then we, as a group, ran back and forth between the 3 yard and 15 yard line. At any point we would be commanded to put hits on target. We might have to pivot and then ensure our line was such that no one was in an unsafe position before pulling the trigger.
There are some sharp cookies in this group. Many of us have taken several classes together over the past year. Everyone kept safe and had a good time. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff