BASIC TACTICAL CARBINE - 3 day course

The FIRE Institute is conducting a first-level course of formal instruction for civilians who wish to attain a greater level of competence in the use of auto-loading carbines (AR-15, M-1 Carbine, Kalashnikov variants). It affords 23 hours of instruction over three days. Topics which will be covered are:

1) Gun Handling with your system: Proper manipulation and handling of rifles; correct procedure to clear jams and stoppages; comparison of AR-15/M-16/M-4 carbines (and their clones).
2) Problems of trajectory, zeroing and sighting the AR I5, as compared to other types of carbines.
3) Stance and basic firing positions: Including introduction to tactical employment of them, and the importance of stance to weapon retention and contact-distance engagement.
4) Characteristics, tactical advantages and limitations of carbines as personal defense weapons.
5) Fundamentals of tactical movement when employing a carbine. “Square Range” exercises and one tactical simulation exercise are part of the course.
6) Problems of trajectory, zeroing and sighting the AR I5, as compared to other types of carbines.
7) Mind set and the psychology of armed conflict.
8) Summary review of current Pa. law on the use of deadly force. (Provided by a licensed attorney.)

NOTE: This course satisfies the continuing education requirement for NRA LE instructor certification.

Cost: $475 (which includes a $75 range fee over which we have no control). Payment in full is required upon enrollment. Fees become non-refundable 30 days before the course date. If the course cancels for any reason, you will get a full refund.

Note: The FIRE Institute is a non-profit, tax exempt educaitonal organization which does not seek to profit from the courses it provides. It has been in operation since 2006.

Course format: Lectures (approximately 5 hrs.), and live-fire exercises (approximately 18 hrs.). There will be an objective skills test at the conclusion of the course.

Instructor: The Rangemaster is Peter Georgiades. Peter has 25+ years’ experience teaching firearms and defensive tactics. He has been certified to instruct by the NRA (rifle, pistol, shotgun, and personal protection), the State of Arizona (issued CCW Instructor Cert. No. 8769268), and by OSG as a contact distance defense instructor. Peter’s training as an instructor (as distinct from firearms training) includes the Gunsite Law Enforcement Carbine Instructor Cert. Course, Marksman's Enterprise 3-day instructor courses (carbine and pistol), and the LLC "Contact Weapons Defense Instructor" program. His most important training, however, has been working hundreds of hours directly under experienced, professional instructors. Other experienced range officers will assist.

Class size: In order to maintain a close instructor-to-student ratio, enrollment in this course is limited to 12.

Prerequisites: None. It is, however, expected students will have a basic familiarity with rifles. All participants must be 18 years of age. Proof of no criminal history is required. Holding a current Pennsylvania License to Carry Concealed or in a Motor Vehicle, or a license to practice a regulated profession which requires one not have any criminal history (such as a license to practice law or medicine, or a nursing license) will suffice. If those are not available, you can get a certificate of no criminal history from your local police department or Sheriff (the cost is under $20). The Rangemaster is the final arbiter of whether the credentialing prerequisite has been satisfied.

Physical Requirements: Because this course is designed to assist YOU to plan and make decisions using the resources YOU actually have; we will work with you in whatever condition you are in. It is likely that older people or those with a physical disability may not be able to assume one or more of the shooting positions we cover, or perform one or more of the exercises. That’s okay. This course is not designed for training ninjas. Just notify the Rangemaster of any particular disabilities you may have. If you cannot do it one way, we will find another way. We expect you to refrain from attempting any exercise that is beyond your physical capability.

Certificate: A certificate of completion is awarded to all who complete the course successfully. Certificates to satisfy the continuing education requirement for NRA law enforcement instructor certification will be provided.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

There is certain equipment which is REQUIRED in this course. One may not proceed without the following:

• Ear protection and Eye protection.
• Cap or hat with baseball-style bill. This is to prevent ejected brass from your or another shooter's rifle from falling between your eyewear and your eye, burning you. It is important gear.
• Firearm, clean and zeroed. We do zero during the course, but zeroing before class saves time.
• At least two magazines. We prefer you have three, in case one malfunctions. Either 20-round magazines or 30-round magazines will work fine in the course. Extended magazines or drum magazines are impractical.
• Knee and elbow pads. The inexpensive kind worn by skateboarders, or pads worn by carpenters and carpet layers, are sufficient.
• Magazine holster or pouch which is worn on the support side (“weak hand” side) of your belt. BDU pockets and M-16 ammo pouches will get you through, but will slow you down.
• 750 Rounds of "Ball" Ammunition. Almost all shooting will be inside 50 yards, so there is no need for “match grade” ammunition, and its use would be a waste of money. By the same token, your investment of time and money in this course does justify the use of reasonably consistent factory ammunition. Different brands and loads of ammunition will significantly affect the “zero” of AR-15’s, so we recommend using one brand of ammunition throughout the course. No incendiary, tracer or armor-piercing ammunition is allowed.
• A carry strap ("sling"). We run a “hot” range, and rifles must be slung unless they are racked, grounded, or in the shooter's hands on line. Any strap or sling which allows the rifle to be carried muzzle up or muzzle down is fine. No slings which hold the muzzle in a horizontal position while being carried are permitted.
• A ground cloth, shooting mat or other cover (such as an old blanket), to cover the ground, upon which you will be periodically sitting or lying.
• Sight-adjustment tool for iron sights on your particular rifle. (These are available at gun shows or mail order for between $7 and $25, depending upon the type.)

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

• Optic or sight. Optics are optional - iron sights are fine. If you do use an optic, it should be of a low-power type (e.g., red-dot, or less than 4 X magnification). Higher power scopes will not work well.
• Soft drinks or water. There is no water on the range itself, and the Club house is too far to run back and forth. No alcohol is to be consumed within eight hours of the start of any course session or during the course.
• Lunch. Lunches and soft-drinks may be purchased at the Club, or you may pack your own.
• Back-up rifle or complete bolt assembly. A second rifle is a good idea, if you own or can borrow one. Firearms do break, and we cannot stop the course to make repairs. If you do not have a second rifle, a complete bolt assembly will enable you to swap bolts in the AR-style rifles, as a 60 second repair to most malfunctions.
• Something with which to take notes, binoculars, gloves, camera, sunscreen, folding chair.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND AN ENROLLMENT FORM, TO TO WWW.FIREINSTITUTE.ORG. If, after looking at the web site, you have questions, call the FIRE Institute at (412) 381-01969

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

BASIC TACTICAL CARBINE - 3 day course - June 28, 29 and 30.