Close Quarter Tactics - Handgun

October 9 - 11, 2010 (Sat - Sun - Mon)

Instructor:

Randy Cain of Cumberland Tactics

Daily start time is 9:00am

Range Location: Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen's Club

Course Description

Even the fastest shooters need a second - usually a second-and-a-half. Add the element of surprise and a cover garment, and most of us need three. The problem is, if we are ever confronted with the kinds of problems we hope to address by carrying a concealed hand gun, we won't have a second. We have to buy that time, or our firearms skills are irrelevant.

Training for accuracy and speed are, of course, important. But we cannot lose site of the fact that if we are ever actually called upon to defend ourselves with a hand gun it will be a surprise, our adversary will be no more than six steps away (probably closer) and may be coming at us in a rush. We know this both as a matter of logic and as a matter of experience.

If you were given notice there was going to be a life-threatening confrontation at a given time and place, you would do your utmost to be elsewhere. Armed robbers, assassins or lunatics do not announce their intentions in advance, and random violence is, by definition, not planned. Therefore, to one degree or another, the attack will come as a surprise.

By every available indication (statistical, empirical, historical or anecdotal) gun fights occur at distances of seven yards or less. In fact, the most commonly used weapons are edged weapons and clubs, which can only be used at "hand shake" distances. Therefore, the problem will be "in your face."

This course will address the use of efficient foot work, warding techniques, weapon retention and counter-retention (disarms) to buy time and create distance in the face of a sudden, armed assault at contact distance. The objective is to enable one to avoid disabling injury long enough get his gun out of the holster.

Instructor: The Rangemaster is Randy Cain. Mr. Cain is the Director of Cumberland Tactics, Inc. He has nearly two decades of professional firearms training experience, and holds a very rare "Instructor Certification" with Yavapai Firearms Academy. He is a former Rangemaster at the prestigious Gunsite Academy in Arizona, and has assisted Jeff Cooper in the highly acclaimed "Masters Series" classes at Gunsite. Mr. Cain is a registered NRA Police Firearms Instructor, has served as a police officer, SWAT team member and Training Officer. He is a graduate of the FBI Advanced SWAT School, is a member of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI). More information is available at www.guntactics.com.

Equipment and Attire: Comfortable, loose-fitting, non-restrictive clothing that you can move around in. Loose-fitting street clothes or BDU's are fine; but wear a belt that will support your holster. Bring your duty holster or carry holster. Bring any gear appropriate to the weather at the time of the course. The course will proceed rain or shine.

Physical Demands: This course will be tailored to the aggregate physical capacity of the specific group. The techniques employed are designed to be practical and useful, which necessarily means they must be useable by those in average physical condition who are without martial arts background. All training exercises are designed so students can proceed at their own pace. If you have a physical condition which makes an exercise or technique difficult for you, you are expected to advise the instructors and refrain from attempting that particular exercise.

Time Commitment: The course is three full days (8 hours per day) with a lunch and periodic breaks. Total instruction time is a minimum of 22 hours. A certificate of completion will be awarded to those who satisfactorily complete the training.

Training Prerequisite: There is not enough time to teach students to draw safely or shoot accurately in this course. It is expected that the student has already reached a level of basic proficiency before enrolling. A handgun class from either Cumberland Tactics or any of the other trainers whom Cumberland Tactics approves, but you must be at least 18 years old, and proof of no criminal history is required. (Criminal history procedures are outlined in the enrollment materials.).

If you have any doubt or question whether your prior training qualifies, contact Randy at www.guntactics.com.

Class size: The course will be limited to 20 students. If there is not adequate enrollment 7 days before the course start date, the class will be canceled and any tuition paid up to that time will be refunded in full.

Cost: $475.00. This includes range fees, targets, range supplies and handouts. Students to provide their own ammunition, personal gear and meals. Club member discounts do not apply to this course.

Participant Safety: There are certain principles of safety which will be stressed, along with range rules you must follow. These safety rules will be strictly enforced by the instructors, as well as by management and employees of the Gun Club and the FIRE Institute. If there is any indication the violator is indifferent to a safety violation, or if a violation is repeated, the responsible party will be discreetly asked to leave the course. There are no exceptions and no compromises in this regard.

Equipment Requirements:

There is certain equipment which is REQUIRED in every course. One may not proceed in the course without the following:
• Ear protection and Eye protection. Eye protection must be clear for the night shoot.
• Cap or hat with baseball-style bill. This is to prevent ejected brass from another shooter's handgun from falling between your eyewear and your eye, burning you. It is important gear.
• Firearm, clean and zeroed.
• An inert Training Gun. We recommend the Red guns by ASP or Blue guns by Ring's.
• At least three magazines with *weak side* belt mounted pouches or speedloaders and appropriate pouches. BDU pockets do not work well.
• Knee and elbow pads. The inexpensive kind worn by skateboarders, or pads worn by carpenters and carpet layers are fine.
• Gloves (either shooting gloves or light work gloves).
• 400 rounds of "Ball" ammunition. We recommend students use one brand of ammunition throughout the course. We also suggest students avoid the very cheapest ammunition and reloads. While "match grade" ammunition would be a waste of money, your investment in this course does justify the use of reasonably consistent ammunition.
• A good quality holster. No shoulder holsters allowed.

There is other equipment that is not required, but which we know from experience will enhance your experience of the course. We therefore recommend you bring the following:

• Soft drinks or water to drink while down on the range. There is no water on the range itself, and the Club house is too far to run back and forth. No alcohol of any kind is to be consumed within eight hours of the start of any course session or at any time during the course.
• Back-up handgun. A second handgun is also a good idea, if you own or can borrow one. Firearms do break, and we cannot stop the course to make repairs. Even if we had time, parts may not be available, and many repairs cannot be accomplished in the field.
• A shooting mat or ground cloth.
• A camera.
For Details, Information and Directions:
• Contact Us
• Course Schedule
• Enrollment Forms
• Credentialing
• Area Motels



"Having a gun and thinking you are armed is like having a piano and thinking you are a musician"
------ Col. Jeff Cooper (U.S.M.C. Ret.)

This course is sponsored by the Firearms Instruction Research & Education (FIRE) Institute,
a Penna. Not-For-Profit corporation. Training is provided as a public service. All students must be 18 years or older. Proof of no criminal history is required.

© 2010 F.I.R.E. Institute