Pics from our Miami Combative Pistol Course

[mercop]

Little warmer down here than at home. The class was great and finished up today. Thought I would share some pics.

[Carnes]

Interesting pics. Thanks for sharing.

What organization was the training done with? It looks like there was a lot of information covered. Could you share the training outline, or other details?

[ReefBlue]

Interesting pics. Thanks for sharing.

What organization was the training done with? It looks like there was a lot of information covered. Could you share the training outline, or other details?

The OP taught the class.

Sure beats what most people think self defense is--standing on a fixed spot and shooting at some dopey target 20 feet away . . .


cuz that is how you would get mugged, amirite?

[Gary737]

What was the story behind the hairy belly?

[andrewjs18]

What was the story behind the hairy belly?

Guess I better not show my belly then. lol

[djturnz]

I was assuming it was welts from simunitions or something.

[mercop]

Those welts are from the high end airsoft guns that we use for force on force. Here is the gist of the course.
http://www.mercop.com/docs/MCS_Pistol_JAN09_Miami.htm

[Carnes]

Looks like some high quality training! I hope I get the chance to partake in some of that training.

A bit off topic, but I have been looking for a high quality airsoft pistol that can mimic my G17 for training purposes. I have researched it to some extent, and found that some brands will fit the holster and others will not... That, and some are 'rinky-dink' and others are not. Can anyone recommend an ideal, or near-ideal airsoft version of the G17 for me? I would also be interested in learning about a quality airsoft 1911 that could be used in training senereos as well. TIA.

[mercop]

I will get information on the guns we use which were Glock 17s. We are currently looking for a place to host this course in PA, it is easier than you think. If anyone is interested give me a call at 443-807-7078- Geogre

[mercop]

During the course in Miami we really lucked out with the weather, as a matter of fact the morning of the second day was just under 50 degrees.

On day one we met at about 0830 and took care of the administrative issues such as handing out the course workbooks and introductions. From there it was covering the high points of the book that would be repeated over and over again during the next two days.

The first live fire session was a diagnostic where we had shooters slow fire at a 6 inch circle at 10 yards or so. The shooters were provided feedback and the string repeated a few more times until everyone was in the ballpark.

From there we moved into an equipment evaluation where comments ranged from why certain gear was not optimal to possible reconsideration of what location to carry guns, magazines and other gear. During the course much of the advice was evidenced such as whey you don’t want to carry paddle holsters or wear your gun behind your back.

The discussion then turned to the conflict between the trained and the non-trained mind under stress. The basic principle is that during a typical range session when the gun in drawn the strong foot stays on line or moves back, this completely opposite of the non-trained mind where when startled enough to induce the fight or flight response you turn to your left to flee. A person drawing a gun in response to a threat sometimes gets caught in the middle of going right or left and ends up just standing still which is a bad thing. Our remedy to this is what we call the drop step. In response to a visual queue, you step back with your reaction side foot while drawing your pistol. As you turn from the target the gun rises and comes on line with the target as if you were pointing your finger. Students were amazed as the consistency of their COM shots by using this method of default targeting.

The next live fire drill was the Panic Push. The shooter starting from with contact distance from the target would use both hands to strike the target under the numbers such as in football. From there the drop step was again utilized before transitioning in to lateral movement to the attackers right and engaging another targets taking the place of the first target that was knocked down. This drill is taught to give the shooter time and space to deploy their pistol.

After moving behind the line, live weapons were changed out for airsofts and holsters. Students performed the 21-foot drill from concealment against and attacker armed with a Sharkee marking knife. This was done in a make shift hallway that was about 6 – 8 feet wide. What was evidence over and over was that students were able to deploy their pistol and put several rounds COM, but still suffered massive angle one slashes (cuts from high right to low left) especially to their reaction side off as they tried to fend off the attacker. The guy with the knife also found out what it was like to get hit with airsoft traveling in excess of well over 300 FPS.

After lunch students were again brought down to the firing line and told to lie flat on their backs and told to access their clear weapon. What they found out was that the farther behind the hip you carry the harder and more awkward it was. Students were taught to roll to their reaction side hip to allow them to draw their firearm. They soon found out that the same default targeting principle was used as if they were standing on their feet. When this turned to live fire students crouched down before being pulled backwards by an instructor, once breaking their fall students were to roll, deploy their pistol, and continue to engage their target until they were back to a standing position. We call this the Down but now out drill. Again after 10 shooters about 90% of all rounds were COM. Later in the day during a force on force one student was fell backwards while being aggressed by another, he did as instructed and you could see the rounds vertically track up is attacker from the groin to the chest.

The second day began with in and out of the holster weapons retention techniques using Blue Guns. A few individuals found out fast that paddle holsters are not the best retention aid. They learned to fight with their elbows and get people off their gun. This evolved to the one gun drill where it was discussed that there was always one gun involved in every situation…the shooters. When a shooter was knocked to the ground by an attacker and a confrontation ensured with the shooter being mounted and pummeled with boxing gloves they would invariably try to deploy their pistol giving away its location to there previously non armed attacker. The a fight over the holstered gun ensued until the shooter could access it and achieve what was usually a contact shot to the body of his attacker.

Again students were moved behind the line and live weapons were changed out for airsofts and holsters. Shooters were told to walk towards each other and touch hands, at just about this time with them still in motion a visual queue was used to induce both shooters to draw and fire upon each other. Once the distance of about 7 yards was achieved with most shooters being right handed and utilizing the drop step, they would both move to their left while continuing to fire until the whistle sounded. This drill was done to mimic the spontaneity of shootings that occur at 3-5 feet. The drop step also allows you to bring the gun between you and the attacker without handing it to him as would be if you stood still.

The last live fire drill was the Third Party drill where students we advised to have their or other individuals walk on their reaction side so that in the event of an altercation they could put their reaction side hand back to get a hold of them to aid in not only control but to put themselves between their loved one and the threat. This used a modified drop step allowing lateral movement but firing on the targeting using the same principle.

After a short break, students were given a demonstration of Center Axis Relock which was very well received.

The last force on force drill was the Hallway of Horrors where each student took turns being the bag guy with his choice using the following training weapons, a Blue Ring box cutter, training baton, airsoft pistol or Sharkee marking knife. They were also allowed to create their own scenarios, which ranged from the bum looking for a dollar to a robbery. This works well to ensure nobody has any idea what they will face.

After a short debrief students were given their certificates and class pictures were taken. This class was great, nothing but good attitudes. Attendees came from all kinds of background from stockbrokers to firemen. It was a pleasure.