Basic Tactical Pistol

[TonyF]

I generally don't post our courses more than six weeks out but as of 03/28/07 there are only four openings available.

Basic Tactical Pistol

Introductory Level - 3 Days

June 9 - 10 - 11, 2007
Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Daily starting time is 10am

Location
Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen's Club

This course is designed for those who have either never received any formal instruction on the tactical use of hand guns, or who have been instructed but wish to refresh these perishable skills. The course will cover the basic elements of mind set, marksmanship and gun handling appropriate to the combat use of a hand gun. This is a course in gun fighting, as distinct from target shooting or sports such as IPSC shooting or "action pistol". It will be held at the Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen's Club, 25 min. east of Pittsburgh in North Versailles Township. Topics which will be covered include:
Have fun. Although the subjects of our courses are serious, we do not run a boot camp. We have worked to design courses which will be relaxed and enjoyable, in addition to being informative, with safety as our first priority.

Obtain a fuller appreciation of the gravity of the decision to fire a deadly weapon. We teach (and adhere to) the principle of accountability for each round sent down range. An attorney will provide you with up-to-date information on Pennsylvania law governing the use of deadly force and concealed carry.

Achieve an informed understanding of how to manipulate your firearm, under stress. This includes an understanding of why the controls are placed where they are; how they are designed to be worked; proper methods of carrying a pistol; techniques of quick presentation, target acquisition and sight alignment; tactical reloads; speed reloads; checking the status of the weapon and clearing malfunctions. If the host range is located in a municipality where night shooting is permitted, we hold a night session where we cover the use of your hand gun using a flashlight.

Mental Conditioning and Combat Mind Set. Ninety percent of what is required to effectively employ a hand gun is mental. The psychology of combat shooting is explored, and methods of preparing oneself for an armed confrontation are reviewed.

Combat Marksmanship. The marksmanship skills appropriate to combat shooting are not the same as those one employs when shooting for precision or for points. Finding a realistic balance between accuracy and speed will be thoroughly covered.

Examination of the Utility of Various Equipment and Accessories. There is a entire industry devoted to firearms related equipment and accessories. Some of it is indispensable, most of it is unnecessary, and much of it is useless or worse than useless. This course is sufficiently demanding that students will discover for themselves what works and what just gets in the way.

Learn the value of organized training programs. It would be impossible to teach this subject in depth in only three days. However, by introducing students to the subject matter, and allowing them to actually employ these methods under experienced supervision in a controlled environment, we are confident any of the courses we sponsor will show how much positive difference even a short course can make toward a student's competent use and enjoyment of their firearm. It is our hope this experience will serve as incentive for students to later enroll in more complete courses offered by any one of a number of established firearms schools or instructors.

Night session: There will be one night session, approximately three hours long, held on the evening of the second day of the course. This is subject to any legal restrictions upon night shooting which may apply at the host facility. Where the session is permitted, it will afford students an opportunity to employ different flashlight techniques, evaluate flash signatures of different pistols and ammunition and its effect on night vision, and introduce basic low-light tactical considerations.

Methods of Instruction: The methods are straightforward explanations, accompanied by demonstration of the techniques. Students are then led through live-fire exercises, so they can immediately employ the techniques. The courses are roughly 20% lecture and demonstrations, and 80% live fire exercises. 90% of the course takes place on the firing range. A course book and other written materials are provided. We recommend you bring a small notebook and pen.

Physical requirements: There is a moderate level of physical exertion, primarily involved in repeatedly assuming and getting out of various shooting positions. It is expected that anyone with a physical condition which would make a particular exercise difficult or present a risk of injury (e.g., a bad knee which impairs one's ability to kneel) will tell the Rangemaster, and not participate in that exercise. The instructors endeavor to find techniques and positions which are effective for each individual. This principle extends to those with physical handicaps. Students who have physical impairments must advise the Rangemaster, so he can work with the student to identify and develop effective methods to work around the physical disability.

Prerequisites: This is an entry-level course, so there are no prerequisites. Regardless of the various skill levels of participants, the Rangemaster will start at the beginning. Participants must be at least 18 years old.

Time commitment: This is a three-day course. We start on at 10:00 a.m. on the first day, and we run to about 6:00 p.m. On the second day, if there is a night shoot, we will break a little earlier, reconvene about 7:30 p.m. and run until about 11:00 p.m.. On the last day we run from 10:00 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m. Students are asked to report to the range by 9:45 a.m. each day. There is a one hour lunch break each day, and periodic breaks throughout the course. Classes start promptly, and we ask that students be on time.

The Course proceeds rain or shine: We have received credible reports that gun fights have sometimes occurred during bad weather. One of the course objectives is to have Students experience for themselves what gear functions well and what needs improvement, including what works in bad weather. A few hours coping with fogged lenses, wet grips and flashlights that quit working when wet will provide valuable lessons, and may save your life later. Although we certainly hope for no more than a few hours of rain, we do proceed rain or shine. Rain gear is a good idea.

Instructor: Primary instruction will be provided by Giles Stock. Mr. Stock served with the Phoenix Arizona Police Dept. for 20 years, the last seven as a sergeant. During that time he was the training supervisor for their SWAT unit. Currently, and for the last 22 years, he has been an Adjunct Instructor at the Gunsite Training Center, acting as Rangemaster for courses in handgun, rifle, shotgun, and carbine. He is also the primary instructor for the Hornady Academy, instructing classes in both carbine and precision rifle for police and military personnel. A three-time winner of the "Police Olympics" in revolver, he now works full-time as a product development consultant in the firearms industry and as a weapons instructor. He is also a Simunitions certified instructor and a Surefire certified Low Light Instructor trainer.

Cost: Tuition for this course in 2007 is $350.00, which must be paid in full upon enrollment. This covers instruction, range fees, targets, range supplies and handouts. This does not cover ammunition, meals or personal gear of any kind. Tuition is non-refundable within 30 days of the start date of the course. However, if the course is cancelled tuition will be refunded in full.

Course format: Lectures (approximately 5 hrs.), and live-fire exercises (approximately 18 hrs.). Each student will need a minimum of 600 rounds of ammunition. Certificate of completion for those who pass.

Class size: Enrollment will be not less than eight nor more than twelve students. There will be a Rangemaster (chief instructor) and at least one range assistant present on the range, giving a student-to-instructor ratio of between four-to-one and six-to-one.

Participant safety: This is an overriding consideration. There are certain principles of safety which will be stressed from the very beginning of every course. In addition, there are range rules you must follow. These safety rules and range rules are included in these materials. Please read them. They will be strictly enforced by the instructors, as well as by management and employees of the Gun Club.

Any observed violations of general principles of firearms safety or specific range rules will be called to the attention of the violator. 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, and will receive a full refund of tuition. There are no exceptions and no compromises in this regard.
Credentialing process: The sponsors and organizers of this program believe strongly that adult citizens have the right to arm themselves against the predations of others, and cannot legally or morally be forced to relegate the entire responsibility for their personal safety to political institutions or to the agents of government.* History and common experience establish beyond rational dispute that governments are not always responsible or accountable, and even well-intended and dedicated public officials are often not around in an emergency. On any given occasion those officials may be incompetent, indifferent to one's plight, or even hostile.

On the other hand, the right to be armed, like any right, is subject to forfeit by those who would abuse it. It is not our intention to instruct those who have demonstrated poor judgment or lack of self-control. One important indicator of the level of one's social responsibility is criminal history. Therefore, in order to enroll in this course, a student is required to demonstrate he or she has no criminal history.

The required proof can be certification of active duty in a branch of the military or with a law enforcement agency. It can also be a current carry permit, or evidence of current licensure or certification as a member of a profession which is regulated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and with respect to which conviction of a crime would result in revocation of a license or certification (e.g., attorneys, medical doctors, security personnel).

For those not included in any of the above categories, your local police will provide you with a certificate that you have no record of criminal activity at no or nominal charge. Instructions on how to go about obtaining such a certificate are on the reverse side of the application form. You should start now, however, as this process usually takes some time.

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 pistol from falling between your eyewear and your eye, burning you. It is important gear.

Firearm, clean and zeroed.

At least three magazines or speed loaders. We prefer you have three, in case one malfunctions during the course.

A flashlight which is equipped to either remain on constantly or be operated by a pressure-switch that turns the light on when the button is depressed and shuts off when the button is released. Extra batteries and a back-up light are also recommended. We do not recommend you spend money on a good tactical light before the course, unless you are already well enough informed to know what is useful and what is not. You should take the course with what you have, learn what is useful, and then make more informed purchases.

Magazine holster or pouch which is worn on your belt, on your support ("weak hand") side. BDU pockets do not work well.

600 Rounds of "Ball" Ammunition. We recommend students use one brand of ammunition throughout the course. Different brands and loads of ammunition can significantly affect the "zero" of your firearm. 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. No incendiary, tracer, armor piercing, or other exotic ammunition is permitted.

Aa substantial holster which attaches firmly to a belt, and holds the pistol in place. The holster must permit you to get a firm grip on the weapon with your strong-side hand without removing the weapon from the holster, such that it is not necessary to adjust your grip after drawing the pistol from the holster. Holsters with flaps that cover the weapon or straps which retain the weapon are not appropriate unless the flap or strap can be removed (police duty gear is an exception). No hand guns can be carried anywhere except in a proper holster (no "pocket pistols," "back-up guns" in ankle holsters or the like).

Weapons must be .38 caliber/9 mm., or larger. Hand guns in .22, .25, .32, .380, 7.62 x 25 and similar light calibers are generally ineffective in stopping a gun fight, and are of insufficient power even to complete some course exercises. You may not train with these in our courses.

Pistols should be serviceable as duty weapons or practical for concealed carry. Single action revolvers and derringers are impractical for this course. Your pistol or revolver may get dirty or be dropped on the ground, so please do not bring any valuable antiques or show-guns. Pistols outfitted with scopes, red-dot sights, extended magazines, compensators which extend the barrel and similar "race-gun" accessories are permitted in the course, provided they fit within a holster as described above. However, experience shows these rigs are impractical and detract from students' course experience, and therefore are not recommended.

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.

Binoculars, any size or power.

A ground cloth, shooting mat or other cover (such as an old blanket), to cover the ground or concrete shooting pads upon which you will be periodically sitting or lying.

Camera.

Sight-adjustment tool.

Gloves (either shooting gloves or light work gloves).
Dress generally should include substantial shoes and "work clothes" or fatigues. You may be on the ground, and will certainly get dusty, muddy or wet. Although there is shelter at the range, you will be required to periodically leave that shelter to check or move targets or walk through exercises. Therefore, if it is raining, you will get wet.

[TonyF]

Someone had to bail at the last minute.

Anyone interested in attending this class take note.

We have a fellow with a sick family member, who would like to transfer from the June pistol course to the August pistol course. This can be done
without any loss of his tuition, if somebody wants his June slot. Otherwise, we have to charge him for the June slot.

If anyone wants to take a slot in the Basic Tactical Pistol course that will be going on tomorrow, Sunday and Monday, contact Paul Levin. (412) 767-2400, Ext. 3591.

I will not be in the office again before the course, so don't bother trying to arrange this through me. Just deal directly with Mr. Levin. Let him know you are taking his June slot, then show up tomorrow with: (1) $350, (2) a current Pa. license to carry concealed, current CCW permit from another state, or other proof of no criminal history (as outlined on our web site). We will work out the application stuff on the spot. You will not be admitted to the course without proof of no criminal history, so be sure you have that covered.

My cell phone number is (412) 370-9500 if you need me to answer any questions.

PeteG