Self Denfense Handgun Lv2-Range USA Memphis-AAR

[jacob]

After taking the first level handgun training in Jan '13 and the "RELOAD" class to refresh those skills again this past July, I took the level 2 training today to help increase the tools that I have to be a responsible and competent gun owner. The class started with the usual introductions and pleasantries. We briefly worked the basic draw and fire skills that we learned in the level 1 class to help get us "warmed up" for today's training. We also worked the basic tap/rack drills using dummy rounds to simulate fail to fires. We then transitioned into the new skills we would be introduced to in the class. We started off with a drill to utilize shooting with our normal strong side supported grip. We then moved to shooting with just our strong hand/unsupported. We were then taught to safely shift our grip from strong side to weak and continue the drill shooting weak side supported/unsupported. We practiced this skill at the distance of 4 yards on 3 inch circle targets. The instructor advised that as we became more proficient with our marksmanship at this distance to gradually increase distance to provide a further challenge. The next drill we performed was shooting from multiple unconventional positions such as kneeling behind cover, sitting, on our backs and on each side. We also performed these drills using various grips with our strong/weak sides and supported/unsupported. These provided a little insight into how you would implement a firearm for defense if you were unable to use a normal, standing stance. We moved on from there to a drill that required us to shoot and move in tandem. The instructor stood behind us during our string of fire and provided a little stress to confuse and get our adrenaline working (yelling in our ears, shaking and pulling on us as a distraction) as we moved forward/backward and from side to side. This was one of the more challenging drills as it forced me to make better shot choices to stay on target. Our class size was rather small so the drills went quickly. We voted as a class to repeat the first drill to practice our marksmanship utilizing strong/weak sides both supported and unsupported since we were moving ahead of schedule. The last drill was the most eye opening for me personally. We were asked to leave the range and the instructor and the range safety officer taped the window to obscure our view for the final drill as we each had to individually perform the drill sans audience. When my turn came I was taken inside and had my firearm holstered by the instructor. Part of the setup for this drill was that we were told our firearm would be pre loaded by the instructor based on their evaluation of our performance during class and we were also told that only one mag would be needed. I was then told to stand in a taped square facing 2 targets about 3 yards away. The instructor told me that I could not step outside of the square and had 10 seconds to put 2 rounds into each target. This seemed a little "easy", but ok I thought to myself. I was then asked who the most important people in my life were and I said my wife and 2 boys. The instructor told me to imagine those 2 targets were about to rape my wife and kill my kids. I have this all setup in my mind and am waiting for the word to draw and fire. When that word came I pulled my gun and pulled the trigger....(edited to remove the spoiler that I was too dopey to not include initially....take the class and you will find out the ending) The point of this post is that if you aren't getting training, you need it. No matter how much you've grown up around guns or gone to the range to shoot. It doesn't even matter if you have thousands of hours of training, you are always able to learn more and tweak the skills that you might one day need to stay alive or keep someone else alive. Edited August 19, 2014 by jacob

[Links2k]

I like RUSA training. Now that I'm an empty nester for the first time in twenty eight years, all I plan to do is work, play golf, exercise, buy another motorcycle, train and eventually get the confidence to try some competitions.

[jacob]

I want to do several of Range USAs other classes....wanting to try a couple of classes at Tactical Response since they are close by as well...

[MphsTiger1981]

Nice write up OP. Thanks for sharing.

[cjohnson44546]

you are NOT supposed to give away that last one... now if someone reads this and takes the class later, it will be ruined for them  :-)

 

I've taken level 1 - 4 there... as well as some other classes.  Would like to take a few more, and wish I could find even more classes, as they are fun, not just good for learning.  Maybe in a couple years I'll retake them all again.

[jacob]

Yea, I didn't really think that post through 100% I guess... I think they have a level 3 class toward the end of September....may try to get in on that one...

[Guest fastbilly1]

Edit your original post to save the secret

[cjohnson44546]

Yea, I didn't really think that post through 100% I guess... I think they have a level 3 class toward the end of September....may try to get in on that one...

Tactical Shotgun is fun too... they have one coming up in like a week.

[jacob]

I am interested in the Tactical Carbine class. Have you taken that?

[deerslayer]

I like RUSA training. Now that I'm an empty nester for the first time in twenty eight years, all I plan to do is work, play golf, exercise, buy another motorcycle, train and eventually get the confidence to try some competitions.

 

Just take a .22 auto to MSSA and shoot a Steel Challenge match.  It's pretty straightforward and will boost your competence with a handgun more quickly than most classes will. 

Edited August 19, 2014 by deerslayer

[cjohnson44546]

I am interested in the Tactical Carbine class. Have you taken that?

I would assume its very similar to the tactical shotgun class... but I have not yet taken it.  I would take it, but I don't have a Carbine... and the only one I really want is a Tavor, and I don't have $1700 to spend on a rifle right now  :-)