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Four Letters Re: A Well-Rounded Skillset Requires Both Range-Based and Force-on-Force Training
Jim:
SF in Hawaii seems to have written in haste. His assertion is based on merely seeing the introductory courses at Front Sight. Just read this
course description of Front Sight's Advanced Integrated Handgun course.
This course offers exactly what he's complains is lacking at shooting schools.
- Tantalum Tom
Mr. Rawles,
In response to SF in Hawaii's comment,. I returned this past week from
a four-day defensive handgun course with the one day 30-state CCW [permit
qualifying] class at the end. SF is incorrect in several
areas, but I will mention two specifically. First, while we may have been stationary
during the initial shoot, we were quickly moving after the actual shots were
taken - this movement was called "after action" movement. In fact,
at one point, I had an instructor standing next to me reminding me to "move,
move, move ....don't stand still."
During our one day CCW class, our instructor gave us an idea about what the "Tactical
Handgun" class consisted of - We were literally running along side several
targets and shooting from the running position with the instructor attached
to us ensuring that we did not stand still - reminding us the entire time that
we must continue to move. Secondly, we were taught how to shoot one handed
- and at close range without using the front sight.
We learned so much in five days that will be valuable should the skills ever
be needed in a real life scenario. I was so impressed with the level of skill
and professionalism of the Front Sight instructors. I was also amazed at the
number of military and law enforcement officers attending the class right beside
me, some for the second or even third time in an effort to earn their "graduate" or "distinguished
graduate" certificate. I also learned from our instructor that they have
trained some of our military special forces. If that is not an impressive endorsement,
I can't imagine what would be.
The four-day defensive handgun class may be Front Sight's entry level course,
but with that training, I am able to share information and skills with my husband
who has been in law enforcement for 30 years, defend myself and my family should
that need arise and will look forward to a second chance at earning my "graduate" certificate.
- TC in Washington
JWR:
[My advice to SF is that] if you want to practice moving while shooting try
IDPA or IPSC. They are both games and have varying amounts of "reality",
but both allow even require moving while shooting. In fact, IPSC is called
the "run and gun" sport and IDPA's standard classifier requires
moving while shooting and moving between positions between engaging targets.
The first time out you will be surprised at how hard it is to hit a target
while moving, but you will get better with practice. Both sports also require
reloads while on the clock, another skill that isn't practiced enough.
Mostly one can use their day to day carry rig. Pocket holsters are generally
out. Having said that one of my local clubs did have a "back up gun" side
match every month which allowed all sorts of holsters. My
local club let me use my Wilderness Tactical holster that I use while biking
and hiking, which was great. If you use your carry hardware you get to shake
out any problems you might have and learn exactly what you can and can not
do with your pistol. Most people will be surprised. But with a bit of practice,
great improvements will be made.
Learning pistol skills are why I started going, but the people were the reason
that I started to spend every weekend at one of these events. They are like
minded (at least on the firearm side of ideas), friendly, safe, and very helpful
with new shooters.- Tacmars
Jim,
All the high speed, low drag tactics in the world don’t mean a thing
unless you hit with your first shot. Until you know how to shoot consistently
and accurately under time pressure, and develop the discipline to stay on the
front sight in a fight, which the
range training engrains in you, force on force training is a complete waste
of time and a gimmick for those trainers who can’t put hundreds of students
into their courses week after week. Most gun owners are not
ready for force on force training because they can’t shoot accurately
enough under pressure to benefit from force on force training. Front Sight
offers force on force
training for those students who are ready for it in our advanced tactical scenarios
courses.
- Dr. Ignatius Piazza, Founder and Director of Front
Sight
