mav

Hey folks, Well... I guess the rapture didn't occur this weekend because I am still here. Compared to some of you guys, I am a gosh darn beacon of morality. That aside, I attended a Suarez International Close Range Gunfighting course this weekend taught by Randy Harris (a.k.a. CruelHandLuke). Back in January, I took a Defensive Pistol Skills class taught by Randy. I won't say much about the Defensive Pistol Skills class since I did a review on it back in January, which you can find here on TGO. The Defensive Skills class is ideal for someone who has had little or no introduction to defensive handgun techniques. Personally, I found it a little remedial since I already had numerous private lessons from one of our local SWAT officers in which I was taught most of the techniques utilized in the class. However, there were a few techniques that I picked up from the Defensive Skills class that I still use today. The Close Range Gunfighting (CRG) course is totally different from the Defensive Skills class. The CRG class takes what was taught in Defensive Skills to the next level and then some. One of the biggest differences between the two classes is in the CRG class you incorporate movement, which was totally foreign to me. At your typical range, you will stand in your booth and place your target down range x number of yards. You then proceed to go through your various exercises while engaging the target. This is all fine and good, and it is the most of what a lot of us shooters will ever get to do due to range restrictions. However, this type of shooting is not representative of a real world scenario; neither you nor your target is moving, and there is only one target. On really good days, which aren't often, I have done some pretty good shooting at the range I attend. I have shot 49 rounds of Blazer 9mm ammo at a distance of 7 yards and ended up with a hole inside the x-ring the size of a fifty cent piece (I had one flyer). I have shot 200 rounds at 15 yards using iron sights and kept the vast majority within the x-ring and a few flyers within the 10 ring. I have also shot rapid bursts till the mag was empty at 7 - 12 yards and kept most of the shots within the x and ten ring and a few flyers in the 9 ring. I know to some of you that is mediocre shooting at best, but considering I haven't been shooting for years and years, I think it is pretty good. Regardless, what does it mean in a real-world defensive situation? Three words. Not jack s**t. As I mentioned earlier, if you tried to practice close range, which is where most fights occur, gunfighting techniques at your local range, you would probably be thrown out on your butt and have your membership revoked. You can keep going to your local range practicing the same old stuff deluding yourself that you are preparing for a real world defensive situation only to have TGODavid slap you with an insult by calling you target range shooting champ or something (happened to me in a thread, or at least I think he was referring to me). Or, you could attend a class, such as the one I took, and learn some invaluable techniques that might one day save your life. The review: The CRG class took place at the same location as my previous Suarez class on a farm in Pisgah, AL. The weather for this class was a lot better than the one in January. It was hot, but I am as comfortable in hot weather as a hooker is in a seedy motel with a coin operated bed. We had five attendees for this class, which I found a little disappointing since there have been some on the forum that expressed interest in taking a defensive-type class. As a side note, I was the last to arrive at the location (damn county roads), and when I got out of my car I noticed everyone was wearing their 5.11 tactical pants and other firearms regalia. Here I am sporting a golf polo and jeans. My first thought was, "Oh s**t, what have I gotten myself into." I was rather intimidated. The first three hours of the class was mostly lecture. We had a safety briefing, and Randy went over a little bit of history and various aspects of defensive techniques and why they are necessary etc... There were a few moments where I got to play guinea pig only to get shot in the face and body with an airsoft gun by Randy demonstrating a technique. Yes, I did have on body armor and a helmet with a face shield. One thing I can say about Randy is he is a good teacher. Considering I haven't practiced or studied anything I was taught from my previous class with Randy, most of the information that was presented during this lecture I remembered from my previous class. I think my retention of the material must be due to Randy's penchant for bringing "titties" into the discussion. It is designed to keep me interested. After the lecture, we had lunch and then returned to the range. We picked up another attendee after lunch, and guess what. He was wearing 5.11-type pants. I don't own any of type of clothing, but they sure must be good since everyone was wearing them, and I have read several threads on TGO related to 5.11-type clothing. At the range we had another safety briefing, and then the fun began. The name of the course is Close Range Gunfighting, and I can attest that it is close range. Most of the work we did was between 0 and 3 yards. This work involved movement in varying directions away or towards the target. We utilized two hand, strong hand, weak hand shooting all while moving. If you want to try something hard, try shooting one-handed with your weak hand while moving. We learned how to shoot in various postions of the draw stroke. One of the techniques we learned was how to engage and fire while in a grappling position with the target (hand resting on the shoulder of the target). This actually made me very nervous at first because the distance was so close and I was firing from position 1 of my draw stroke (barrel facing down with the gun up to my pec). I kept telling myself not to shoot myself in the foot or leg. Thankfully I did not shoot myself, although I did manage to put a nice hole in the wooden target support legs and managed to rip my shirt by catching it on my slide. We continued the day with another 3 - 4 hours of shooting learning new techniques mainly involving movement and alternative indexing methods, as Randy likes to call them. One thing I would like to point out is during my Defensive Skills class with Randy I had always utilized my sights. During the that class, I found it incredibly difficult not to use them and I was so disappointed that my targets did not look like what they might typically look like at my normal range. At the CRG class, I said to hell with what you normally do, and to hell with how your target looks. During this class, I actually tried to focus on what Randy was teaching us. What I found out was I enjoyed the class so much more, and the techniques I was learning and utilizing almost seemed natural even though I have never done them before. We finished the day with some flashlight work. This was nothing new for me since I have been taught how to shoot utilizing a flashlight in a pitch black range. After the class, I made the drive back to Chattanooga. I looked in the mirror once I got home and noticed that I had a strawberry complexion. A free piece of advice here. If you are going to be outside for several hours in the sun, and it is 90 degrees outside, wear a damn hat. The next day started off with a brief review of what we learned the previous day. We then worked on new close quarters techniques mainly involving movement. We also incorporated hand and or knee strikes to the target before engaging it with gun fire from various positions with the draw stroke. We also talked and worked on utilizing cover during a gun fight. I still suck at one handed weak hand shooting. We ended the day by going through various drills that we had learned the previous day. After shooting 600 plus rounds during those 2 days, the execution of the drills were becoming more fluid, although I am still quite robotic in my technique. All in all, I had a blast (no pun intended) at this course, It was fun, and I learned a ton of valuable information and acquired a bunch of new skills. I now feel more confident that if I am ever engaged in a close quarters fight in which I have to fend for my life that I have acquired information and techniques that I can use to greatly increase my chances for survival. If you are interested in a defensive, although at times seems offensive, pistol fighting class, then this is the class for you. It is relatively inexpensive, you will have a great teacher, and you will learn some valuable skills. I am sure that this class will be taught again some time in the future. As a final note (actually a friendly jab), which I am sure if you have read my entire post, you are saying, "Thank God.", it appeared that everyone was using a Glock for this class outside one person. One person, me, was using a semi-custom 9mm Nighthawk Talon FLX 2011. During the 2 day class, I noticed there were multiple failures. I had one misfire out of 600 - 700 rounds of cheap Blazer ammo. I direct the following question to all the 1911/2011 haters and the semi-custom 1911/2011 haters. How about them apples?

Did you notice the CDC didn't recommend having a zombie killer and plenty of ammo? According to their picture, they do recommend a deck of playing cards.

I will be doing some training with Suarez International.

Although not my favorite, I always enjoyed watching the Macho Man back when I was a teenager. I never could figure out though why he always talked like he was constipated.

Well... I do believe Israel is one of, if not our greatest ally. Look at their UN voting record. They vote with the US more than any other country (almost 98%). Compare that to Egypt (around 18%) to whom we have given billions. In regards to Israel not being an active, militarily speaking, participant in our wars in Afganistan, Iraq, and Lybia is just hogwash. Israel would be more than willing to commit troops, but we have told them to abstain. http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/139476.pdf

He is okay, but nothing to get excited about.

While I was alive during the Carter administration, I was too young to know what was going on. Surely he could have not been this inept. Obama has to be the biggest horse's ass that has been in the white house. Even if he is defeated in 2012, what will the condition of the country be?

The V1 (4.5 lb) is hard to find, but they are becoming a litle bit easier. I know of a .40 LS with a V1 available right now from a dealer I have used in the past. Probably won't last long because they tend to sell rather quickly, especially the 9mm.

Once I got home from work today I made an interesting observation. I carry too much s**t. Here we have: firearm w/holster mag carrier with 2 extra mags keys cell phone loose change 2 knives wallet flash drive watch pack of gum or mints If you think about it, that is a lot of stuff. Anyone else carry that much crap or carry more? edit: I forgot to add sunglasses.

I agree. I think my ZT 0300 opens just as fast as some of my Microtechs.

This. I am glad he is not running. Now, Gingrich and Romney need to bow out as well.

Man, that is simply amazing. I would say that the vast majority of adults (overweight or not) couldn't run a mile, and to run several half marathons at 300 lbs, wow. When you hit your goal of 225 or below, you will be able to fly.

I could easily live with four. A good shotgun, rifle, a 1911, and a good 9mm. (edit) Make that 5. I need a good 22 as well.

I am often (every week or so) asked by numerous people what type of gun should they buy. My first question is always, what do you want to do with it? Most of the time their response is always for self defense reasons. In those cases I always recommend a Glock. While a 1911 is my favorite handgun, there are so many benefits from a Glock. They are: relatively inexpensive, very reliable, accurate enough for most people, easy to maintain and/or modify, they have a decent resale value, and there is a plethora of aftermarket parts available if one should choose to customize their handgun. I also recommend Glock because I think the trigger is so much better than a traditional DA/SA (just a personal preference). I also recommend Glock in 9mm (17, 19, 26). It is cheaper to practice with, and for the average shooter who shoots very little, the recoil is no problem whatsoever. I guess I am just a little old school when it comes to ammo preference. Give me either 9mm or .45. I know there are a bunch of great and inexpensive guns on the market, but Glock is always the one that I recommend. Think I am steering people in the right direction?

Well.... another two weeks has passed and another 6 pounds was gained. My current weight is 194. I only have 6 more pounds to go. I sort of feel like the odd man out. Everyone is trying to lose weight, and I am the only one who is trying to put it on. My cardio has went to crap during this diet. I haven't ran since last year, and I decided to go run last week just to see what it would be like considering I am a little bit heavier. I ran 3 miles and it was tough. After 1.5 miles my legs were killing me, but I was determined to make it the entire 3 miles without walking. I made the entire 3 miles without walking with a time of 27m11s. I won't be doing that again any time soon.

Doesn't really matter anyway. What is important is you finished the race. I know a few people so out of shape they couldn't make it a 100 feet.

Yes. Races by Location: Tennessee Congrats, by the way. It is good to hear people are wanting to get in shape. What was your time in the 5K?

I skated from 7th grade to 10th grade. I pretty much gave it up once I got into high school and started working. I remember my first board. I had a Powell Peralta Steve Caballero with a set of Tracker trucks and Powell Bones wheels. I always thought the dragon design of the Caballero boards was the coolest thing. I did almost all street skating, and I was never really all that good at that. It was fun while it lasted.

I prefer owb holsters. If I use a IWB, I usually do an appendix carry. What do you guys think about Safariland holsters? I have one Wilson Combat (Safariland) holster which is suede lined kydex. If it was a paddle holster it would be perfect for me.

I assume you guys have been to this show before. What are the prices like? Anything like gun show markups?

Maybe she should have been waxing instead of shaving.

I am still 50/50 on it. I want to go and see if I can find anything interesting. I don't want to go because I am sure I will find several things I want and I don't really want to spend any money. Well.... I have a month to mull it over. From seeing pics of theirs, Willis and Major Kong have got me interested in a Hinderer XM-18 flipper or XM-24. Unfortunately they are impossible to find and the prices on the secondary market are absolutely crazy. I know they are nice, but what some are paying for them is mind boggling.

I think the bedliner question is somewhat like the which one is better 1911 debate; it will never end. I went with a Rhino Liner in my previous truck because I saw so many Line-X liners that looked like crap. I know others who say just the opposite. I think ultimately the job you get is entirely based on the installer's skill. On a truck that nice I would make sure that the installer has done a bunch of installations and his work is well received. It has been a few years, but I paid around $550 - 650 for my installation, which included an over-the-side application.

No problems with my Gen4 26. It is a blast to shoot, and the Pearce extensions make it really nice.

You certainly have a way with words. I have never heard that expression before. I have to admit that I spent an hour yesterday crying from laughing so hard. I still find it funny today. I guess I am easily amused.