"Basic Tactical Pisol" - 3 days - Pittsburgh

[PeteG]

The FIRE Institute will be offering its well-known three-day course on the fundamentals of fighting with a hand gun only once this year, on From Friday October 17 through Sunday October 19.

The course covers all of the basic skills one must have to effectively operate a hand gun. We also devote considerable attention to helping people sort through their intentions relative to the use of deadly force, and we examine the legal aspects of carrying and using a hand gun in public. (I am a practicing attorney who understands firearms law.)

The ammunition requirement deters a lot of people. We list 600 rounds, but, depending upon how things go in the course, we won't likely use that much. Have 600, but expect to burn 500 or so.

Like all substantial firearms training courses, this is expensive. But functional training of any kind is expensive, and time-consuming, and always has been. Indeed, just about any education in life that is worthwhile is, at a minimum, time consuming. One cannot achieve any level of competence without putting in time and effort.

We made the decision not to cut the time or ammunition commitments for this course below those we have found to be realistic minima to get the job done, just so the course will be easier to market. It is inescapable that basic skills require repetitions, and important concepts demand attention. There is no magic way to make a long course shorter because shorter is more convenient. If we could, we would.

A full course description follows:
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BASIC PISTOL & REVOLVER
TRAINING COURSE- 3 DAYS.

Dates: FRIDAY OCTOBER 17 THROUGH SUNDAY OCTOBER 19.
Where: Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen's Club - 505 Mosside Blvd., North Versailles, Pittsburgh, PA.

This course is designed for people who wish to take a full course of formal instruction on the deployment of hand guns for personal defense. We start from the “ground up,” and emphasize essential, fundamental skills, which apply regardless of personal style or later, more specialized training. Topics to be covered include:

1) Gun Handling and Presentation. Weapons checks; proper presentation from holsters; “eyes off” manipulation and handling of pistols, including clearance of jams and stoppages; correct stance.

2) Sight picture and marksmanship. Techniques are appropriate to defensive (as opposed to sport or target) shooting.

3) Stance and Basic firing positions: Specific attention is given to stance as it relates to weapon retention when engaged at contact-distance, and the need to maintain a balanced, ready fighting position over long periods of time.

4) “Mind set” and the psychology of armed combat. We try to engage you in thinking about what you are actually doing this for, and whether you should do it.

5) Comparative review of different shooting styles and methods. We will compare, and attempt to de-mystify, some of the different shooting methods which have cropped up over the past several years.

6) A review of current Pa. law on the use of deadly force and concealed carry. (By a licensed attorney.)

Cost: $435. $200 may be paid upon enrollment, and the balance must be paid prior to the first day of the course. Tuition includes range fees, targets, range supplies and handouts. Students must provide their own ammunition, personal gear and meals. (Members of the host club receive a $25.00 discount.)

Course format: Lectures (approximately 5 hrs., mostly on the range), and live-fire exercises (approximately 18 hrs.). Participants should bring at least 600 rounds of ammunition, although we usually only burn about 450. A certificate of completion is provided.

Instructor - Peter Georgiades: Peter has taught firearms and defensive tactics skills for 17 years; certified to instruct by the NRA (rifle, pistol, shotgun and personal protection); Arizona (CCW Instructor Certificate No. 8769268); member of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI). His instructor training includes the Gunsite Law Enforcement Carbine Instructor Cert. Course, Marksman's Enterprise 3 day instructor courses (carbine and pistol), and hundreds of hours working directly under other experienced instructors for the purpose of learning the craft. Ranked SanDan (3rd Dan) in Kodokan Judo; certified to teach the Contact Defense, LLC "Contact Weapons Defense Instructor" course (certification by Steve Tarani), he gives special attention to practical aspects of weapon retention; disarms; and when to temporarily abandon resort to the pistol.

Class size: Enrollment limited to 12 students. Last day to enroll is 30 days before first day of class.

Prerequisites: You must be at least 18 years old. Proof of no criminal history is required. (Criminal history procedures are outlined in the enrollment materials.)

Equipment Requirements

The following equipment is REQUIRED, or you cannot participate in this course:

• Ear protection and eye protection. Eye protection must be clear for the night session.
• Hat or cap with baseball-style bill. This is to keep ejected brass from your pistol or elsewhere on the firing line from falling between your eyewear and your eye, burning you. This is important.
• 600 rounds of ammunition.
• Three magazines with suitable pouch (for revolvers, two speed-loaders with carriers).
• Holster. This should be a substantial holster which attaches firmly to a belt, holds the pistol firmly in place, and covers the trigger and trigger guard of the firearm while holstered. The holster must permit you to insert the thumb on your strong-side (dominant) hand between your body and the weapon to get a firm grip on the weapon without removing the weapon from the holster, such that it is not necessary to adjust your grip after drawing the pistol from the holster. Your holster must be constructed of leather, Kydex or similar material, such that it does not collapse when the weapon is withdrawn and the weapon can be re-holstered with one hand only. Holsters with flaps that cover the weapon or straps which retain the weapon are not appropriate unless the flap or strap can be removed (we make exceptions for assigned duty gear, and work with what you have). Hand guns may not be carried anywhere except in a proper holster (no "pocket pistols," "back-up guns" in ankle holsters or the like.)
• A flashlight, 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 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. Take the course with what you have, learn what is useful, and then make more informed purchases.

Weapons must be full sized and full caliber (.38 caliber/9 mm., or larger). Hand guns in .22, .25, .32, .380, 7.62 x 19 and similar light calibers are generally ineffective in stopping a gun fight, and are of insufficient power even to complete some course exercises. Such sub-caliber weapons are not permitted in this course.

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” accoutrements impractical and detract from students’ course experience, and therefore are not recommended.

The following equipment is RECOMMENDED. Although you may proceed in the course without these things, experience has shown they will enhance your experience:

• Soft drinks or water to drink while on the range. The clubhouse is too far to walk to for a drink. No alcohol of any kind is to be consumed within eight hours of the commencement of any course session.
• Lunch. There are restaurants a few minutes’ drive from the range, but you will find it more convenient and less distracting to eat a box lunch on the range.
• Second firearm. A second firearm of the type you intend to train with is also a good idea, if you own or can borrow a second 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.
• Camera.
• Gloves (either shooting gloves or light work gloves).

For Course Details, Directions, Equipment Requirements and Enrollment Materials visit www.fireinstitute.org. Call (412) 370-9500 if you have any specific questions.


“Buying a gun and thinking you are armed is like buying a piano and thinking you are a musician”
--- Col. Jeff Cooper (USMC, Ret.)

[PeteG]

There are already five enrolled in this course. Three of those are people taking the course a second or third time.

I am always pleased to see people repeat a course. It means they got something out of it the first time, and feel there is more to be had.

This particular course will force an experienced shooter to re-focus on the fundamentals, and re-evaluate their mental readiness. We also present different cases to illustrate legal problems ... and in the last year we have had some new ones emerge.

[PeteG]

Please notice this course has been rescheduled from September to the current dates in October. This was necessary to make room for an out-of-state trainer who had limited availability. At least it will be cooler in mid-October!

[Mtbkski]

Actually, with the date change, I might be able to make this one now. (Now to find the money) Been wanting to make this one for a while now.

Oh, change the date on your webpage. Just thought I would remind you.

[PeteG]

Actually, with the date change, I might be able to make this one now. (Now to find the money) Been wanting to make this one for a while now.

Oh, change the date on your webpage. Just thought I would remind you.

I appreciate the reminder. (I need all the help I can get.) Tony F. takes care of the web page, and he just hasn't gotten to it yet.

I hope you can make it.

[PeteG]

Be advised, Tony Ferrazzoli has recently suffered a torn tendon in his arm, and will not be participating in this course. The RM will be Peter Georgiades only.

The announcement has been amended, but if you signed up expecting Tony to be there, there is still time to withdraw.