Rifle Gunfighting Class: a review

[Stegall Law Firm]

This weekend I took a rifle class with Randy Harris (Cruel Hand Luke) down in Tunica, MS.  Randy is, in addition to being a pretty cool dude and not someone upon whom I would want to attempt a criminal act, a highly qualified instructor full of real-world, street-practical knowledge.  I've seen this in his posts here on TGO over the years, and that is what attracted me to his classes.  He did not disappoint in real life.  In short, I highly recommend seeking training from him. I truly think you'll come away with more tools to put in your box.

 

Because (I suspect) of current market conditions, we did not shoot a whole lot of ammo.  I shot maybe 400 rounds rifle and 25 pistol.  And this was a two-day class.  I was fine with this and it's even something Randy and I had talked about beforehand.  You don't need to shoot through a lot of rounds to learn how to run your weapon.

 

Saturday we worked on transitions to pistol, shooting on the move to both right and left, and magazine changes.  One drill we worked was standing close to the target, maybe 7 yards, and acquiring a nice even sight picture, then speeding it up by just looking over the top of the sight or optic.  We did this standing still then on the move.  I learned a lot by doing this moving to the left, and how to move my hands on the weapon to switch shoulders.

 

Sunday we continued shooting/moving drills, then worked into using cover and concluded with some great team drills incorporating communication and covering fire. 

 

The weather was a challenge.  It was very windy both days and we kept having issues with the targets being blown down or just blown away.  Sunday was perfect Scottish golfing weather, about a 20-mph wind, steady rain, and temps in the 50's (which felt lower with the wind and rain).  Aside from the target issues, I liked the weather because of the difficulties it presented. 

 

I kept my gear pretty simple and learned that what I have works pretty well.  Just a battle belt with a couple each pistol and rifle mags.  Rifle is in an MS3 sling which I really like.  One thing I do need is a dump pouch to put empty mags.  We discussed the realistic use of a rifle for civilian use.  Basically it's going to be either home defense or a short-term, regional event that might disrupt power, law and order, and the generally thin veneer we call society.  In a situation like that you might want to get in the habit of retaining your mags.  I always thought I could use my pockets but that doesn't work too well under stress I found out.  So I'll be looking for a dump pouch.

 

I got a lot out of this class, especially using cover, transitioning shoulders and moving to the left.  A lot that I can now work through on my own. Randy has great personality for teaching, very real, not wooden, and very knowledgeable and organized.  He puts things in a real-world, civilian perspective. 

 

Go train with him, you won't be disappointed.

 

[A.J. Holst]

I've trained with Randy twice, he does not disappoint!

[RichardR]

Yup a dump pouch is very handy for retaining empty mags, I use a drop down one, which is a little more "tactical" than I care to use now that I am a civi but it is what I've trained with so it is what I use.

I guess if I am carrying a long-gun, a drop down dump pouch isn't going to be the thing that draws attention to myself though LOL.

[Guest ab28]

Yeah, dump pouches were great. I consider them an essential piece of gear, besides a sling.