Tactical Response - Fighting Pistol

[RobertNashville]

Part of my "New Year's Resolutions" for 2011 was to get some REAL firearms training....this is one of the few such resolutions I've ever followed through on and, aside for my resolution in 1990 to decide once and for all what I believed about "god" in general and Christianity in particular (which I settled on December 9, 1990), may well be the most important resolution I've ever made.

Now I've been "shooting" for most of my life; as far back as rabbit hunting with my dad and a single shot 410 shotgun when I was about 10 years old...I carried a 1911, M14 and a tactical shotgun in the Navy (8 yrs active duty) and I've been going to the range pretty consistently for a while now but I came to the conclusion that I needed more.

So...back in January, I scheduled myself for the two-day "Fighting Pistol" class at Tactical Response which I completed this past Thursday and Friday. I chose them in part because I had heard of Tactical Response and had read good recommendations about them on other gun-related forums...I chose Tactical Response because they were offering courses in Camden, Tennessee (so drivable distance back and forth each day) and because they offer a wide variety of courses including some that many "gun folks" probably don't always consider "firearms" training!

I can't say enough good about the quality of the instructors or the applicability of the class Fighting Pistol - they are simply first class.

I have a few other courses scheduled this year as well including classes with Tom Givens and Massad Ayoob (both at Rangemasters) and Larry Yatch (Sealed Mindset) and I'm looking forward to them. That said, I'll DEFINITELY be back at Tactical Response for more.

If you need training (and every one of us does no matter how good you think you are) then I'd certainly encourage you to at least check out Tactical Response.

[Will Carry]

You lucky dog you. Tell me more! What kind of pistol did you use. What kind of physical conditioning do you need? Did you get to draw and shoot? Did you get to move and shoot? Were you sore the next day? Did they yell at you like a drill sargent? I mean you and I are the same age.

[Mike]

Glad to hear you liked it, Robert. Got your next class planned yet?

What kind of physical conditioning do you need? Did you get to draw and shoot? Did you get to move and shoot? Were you sore the next day? Did they yell at you like a drill sargent? I mean you and I are the same age.

If you can jog a couple hundred feet without passing out you'll be fine.

Yes you draw, move, and shoot.

They'll call you on mistakes, but you won't get browbeat for every little thing.

It's an awesome class. If you don't like it they'll give you your money back.

Mike

[horse2water]

I've done four different courses with Tactical Response including Fighting Pistol, Advanced Fighting Pistol (twice), Immediate Action Medical, and Active Shooter Response. Every course was excellent.

One other good aspect to the Tactical Response course is that you can stay in the teamroom. This is the basement of James Yeager's house and students can stay for no charge. The learning continues even in the team room.

I'd highly recommend their courses.

[RobertNashville]

You lucky dog you. Tell me more! What kind of pistol did you use. What kind of physical conditioning do you need? Did you get to draw and shoot? Did you get to move and shoot? Were you sore the next day? Did they yell at you like a drill sargent? I mean you and I are the same age.

I carry a 1911 about 85% of the time so that's what I used...in the case of this class, a Nighthawk Talon. Other than a couple of problems with some of my mags it performed a lot better than I did!

As others have already said, yes you move and shoot, use cover/concealment, shooting from different positions, etc...they do there best to safely put you into situations that you can run into should ever find yourself defending your life or the life of another.

I am FAR, FAR from being in good physical shape but I got through it just fine...since it was somewhat close to me I decided to drive back and forth for the two days which I think was a mistake...not only did it make for a very long day (thus adding to my being tired) but as was mentioned, I short changed myself from additional learning after the "formal" class work.

If there is any one thing I learned is that range time and IDPA, etc., while important, is not a substitute for actual training on how to fight with a weapon and let's face it; if we have made the decision to carry a firearm with us; isn't fighting to defend our lives exactly why we did that?

EDIT...

By the way; don't worry about your "age"....I was NOT the oldest guy there...there were two others who had at least 10 and maybe even 15 or more years on me!

Edited April 4, 2011 by RobertNashville

[TN-popo]

I've taken...

Fighting Rifle (twice)

Fighting Pistol

Fighting Shotgun

AK Armorer

Low Light (not listed anymore)

I'm taking another class there this month.

Tactical Response offers some of the best training out there.

Edited May 21, 2011 by TN-popo

[Will Carry]

I think I need to take this course. I wish I still lived in the great state of Tennessee! I'm pretty much entrenched in North Carolina now so I recon I'll have to find a class on this side of the Smokys.

[Westwindmike]

Will Carry,

TR will bring a class to you. Check their website for details.

[RobertNashville]

I think I need to take this course. I wish I still lived in the great state of Tennessee! I'm pretty much entrenched in North Carolina now so I recon I'll have to find a class on this side of the Smokys.

As Westwindmike noted, they'll bring the class to you and they have classes scheduled over all the place, even Canada....even the Socialist Republic of California.

[Erik88]

you have convinced me that I really need to take some training. I know it will be worth it but it's hard for me to justify $400 for training. Not to mention the $300 worth of ammo.

I want to do this though.

[RobertNashville]

you have convinced me that I really need to take some training. I know it will be worth it but it's hard for me to justify $400 for training. Not to mention the $300 worth of ammo.

I want to do this though.

How much ammo you'll need really depends on what you are shooting...I took 1,000 rounds of .45 but only used about 450 rounds (I was shooting a 1911)...guys shooting double stack mags are obviously going to expend more ammo per drill that I was!

Edited April 4, 2011 by RobertNashville

[skwirl]

you have convinced me that I really need to take some training. I know it will be worth it but it's hard for me to justify $400 for training. Not to mention the $300 worth of ammo.

Even though it's a substantial cost on the front end, you learn tactics and skills that you can continue to work on after the class at your own pace as money allows. Pack a cooler to save on meals. Stay in the Team Room for free. Buy your ammo a little at at time for a class planned months in advance. Repeat the same class again in Camden and it's half price.

[Guest DanE479]

Also know that all alumni are welcome every year for alumni weekend which is two days of free training on many different topics. THe ability to socialize with other TR alumni is incredible. I'm not going to be able to attend this year due to a long planned family vacation.

THe ability to come back and train for half price in camden is cool as well.

[redstategunnut]

I know this is a Tactical Response thread, but Tactical Response prefers to be referred to as Tactical Response, not TR. There is another training school commonly known as TR.

Glad the OP found Tactical Response to be a good place to train. I've trained there, and I took my son to Fighting Rifle last summer for his 14th birthday.

[RobertNashville]

I know this is a Tactical Response thread, but Tactical Response prefers to be referred to as Tactical Response, not TR. There is another training school commonly known as TR.

Glad the OP found Tactical Response to be a good place to train. I've trained there, and I took my son to Fighting Rifle last summer for his 14th birthday.

I didn't know that there was another group that goes by the "TR" reference; good to know! Thanks.

I'm planning on going to the Alumni weekend this year if I can possibly make it but I doubt that I'll have the time to do any other courses with them this year as I've already have several other things scheduled (not to mention my otherwise hectic schedule!)...the next courses I take from them will likely be the emergency action medical and "the Fight".

[tnroadrunner]

I went to the Fighting Pistol course a few years ago and I was 68 then and had no problem. I used an XD in 9mm and had no problem. Great class and hope to make the alumni weekend this year. I usually take a course every year but my wife was in ill health and just passed last month.

[Reservoir Dog]

I have seriously been thinking about taking their Fighting Rifle course. Looks like a darn good training.

...but my wife was in ill health and just passed last month.

Bob, I am very sorry to hear about your wife. Stay strong!

[TN-popo]

I have seriously been thinking about taking their Fighting Rifle course. Looks like a darn good training.

Do it, it is.

Bob, I am very sorry to hear about your wife. Stay strong!

+1

.

[DMark]

I didn't know that there was another group that goes by the "TR" reference; good to know! Thanks......

The other "TR" is run my some guy named Smith.

Last time I attended a course at that "TR" it was still in Texas and the best part was that my Uncle paid for it.

[RobertNashville]

I like my Les Bare Thunder Ranch - probably my best 1911 even though not the most costly.

I had no idea that's what he was talking about (assuming that was what he was talking about) - I wouldn't be at all surprised if there wasn't more than a few institutions that could go by the initials "TR"

[Guest tedbo]

it's hard for me to justify $400 for training.

I want to do this though.

How much is your life worth,friend?

I haven't taken any of their classes so I have no monetary involvement. As a survivor I encourage you to get all the training you can BEFORE your turn comes up. Nowadays it isn't a matter of IF,but WHEN your turn comes up for being another statistic. I survived by the Grace of God.

I am trying my darnedest to get some more training hopefully this year. Any spare funds I have tried to squirrel away have been needed for basic budget survival. That is life. I just need to keep trying smarter until I get the funds safely tucked away.

DO IT,DO IT, DO IT!