CIS Defensive Pistol course: After Action Report

[Reservoir Dog]

This past weekend, I attended the 2-day Defensive Pistol class from Critical Incident Strategies (http://www.criticalincidentstrategies.com/) in Smyrna, TN. I thought that I would give everybody a report on the class.

The Course

The training started off with a 3 hour classroom presentation, and I found it very informative. The presentation consisted of lecture on the basic shooting principles; such as proper stance, sight picture, sight alignment, loading/unloading, and an overview of Tennessee’s self-defense laws. There was also a video of an interview with a murderer, and a very intense video of the Columbine shooting in Colorado. Watching these videos, you will see that there are sadistic people out there that think very little of taking a human life. Very eye opening, and the very reason you need to carry a firearm for self-defense.

As we moved out to the firing range, we built on the fundamentals discussed in the classroom. We practiced the different stances and reloading drills. As the course progressed, we moved on to more advanced topics such as clearing weapon malfunctions, moving while shooting, firing from different positions (kneeling, prone, supine), one-handed reloading, and drawing your weapon with your non-shooting hand (very hard for me considering my lack of flexibility, and my ever expanding gut ). We also practiced firing in close quarters to the threat. I think most of these skills are never practiced by the majority gun owners, as trying these at your average gun range would not be permitted. However, these are skills that anybody that carries a pistol for self-defense needs to know.

Throughout both days, the instructors put us through some friendly shooting competitions, where we would shoot one-on-one against the other students. These competitions incorporated all of the skills we had learned during the course, as well as introducing an element of stress into our shooting. It is interesting to see how your shooting changes when there is a little stress in the picture. During one competition, what should have taken me four shots to complete, took me a full mag of 15 rounds. It was embarrassing and eye opening at the same time. You learn that sight alignment/picture, being smooth in your movement and trigger control are all very important.

We had a nice variety of pistols in the class: Glock, SIG, H&K and a Smith & Wesson M&P. Everybody’s pistol seemed to perform very well. It drives home the point that a quality pistol is always a good choice. The only problem I am aware of was a double-feed with the H&K. I am happy to report that my SIG P228 ate everything I fed it. I used Georgia Arms and Federal AE 115gr. 9mm FMJ, and did not have any problems with either. I am not sure of the exact round count that I fired, but I would say probably around the recommended 1,000 rounds. Lots of shooting and reloading mags. For those interested in taking this class, I would highly recommend using a mag loader like an UPLULA. My right index finger is still sore from all the trigger time and mag loading.

The Instructors

Todd and Dustin were excellent instructors. Their training and experience and law enforcement has given them a great knowledge base for defensive shooting techniques. They offer praise when you are doing well, but they are not afraid to give out constructive criticism where they see need for improvement. They stated that they are constantly changing the course curriculum with new skills, and updated training. So, the CIS classes are ever evolving, and the class you take today will be even better in the future.

Also, both of them are super nice guys. I mentioned that I was considering upgrading the trigger spring on my Glock 19 to the NY trigger, as I prefer a heavier trigger pull. Todd immediately spoke up, and offered to give me a NY trigger spring and install in for free. You can’t beat that! Now I have a Glock with the trigger pull I want. Thanks again, Todd!

Summary

CIS’s Defensive Pistol is an excellent course, and definitely worth the time and money. If you carry a gun for self-defense, or only have one for home defense, I would highly recommend this course. It will test your skills and your equipment. I have been through a few other firearms training courses, and I still took away a lot of info from this class. In my opinion, you can never get too much training, and there is always room for improvement.

_________________________________________________

Side note (as it really wasn’t part of the course): To make up for all the punishment they put us through, Todd and Dustin brought a Glock 18C to the class for us to put through its paces. I remember the first time I heard of the Glock machinegun, I figured that with its high cyclic rate, it would be near impossible to control. However, I have to tell you that it is very controllable. I was able to keep all the rounds on target, even shooting it with one hand. You could probably go through a 32 round mag in about 3 to 4 seconds with that thing. The G18C was a blast to shoot, and I found a new pistol to love; just too bad I can’t own one. Damn post-86 machinegun ban! Oh, well. I can still dream.

Edited October 22, 2008 by Reservoir Dog

[Guest Todd@CIS]

This past weekend, I attended the 2-day Defensive Pistol class from Critical Incident Strategies (http://www.criticalincidentstrategies.com/) in Smyrna, TN. I thought that I would give everybody a report on the class.

The Course

The training started off with a 3 hour classroom presentation, and I found it very informative. The presentation consisted of lecture on the basic shooting principles; such as proper stance, sight picture, sight alignment, loading/unloading, and an overview of Tennessee’s self-defense laws. There was also a video of an interview with a murderer, and a very intense video of the Columbine shooting in Colorado. Watching these videos, you will see that there are sadistic people out there that think very little of taking a human life. Very eye opening, and the very reason you need to carry a firearm for self-defense.

As we moved out to the firing range, we built on the fundamentals discussed in the classroom. We practiced the different stances and reloading drills. As the course progressed, we moved on to more advanced topics such as clearing weapon malfunctions, moving while shooting, firing from different positions (kneeling, prone, supine), one-handed reloading, and drawing your weapon with your non-shooting hand (very hard for me considering my lack of flexibility, and my ever expanding gut ). We also practiced firing in close quarters to the threat. I think most of these skills are never practiced by the majority gun owners, as trying these at your average gun range would not be permitted. However, these are skills that anybody that carries a pistol for self-defense needs to know.

Throughout both days, the instructors put us through some friendly shooting competitions, where we would shoot one-on-one against the other students. These competitions incorporated all of the skills we had learned during the course, as well as introducing an element of stress into our shooting. It is interesting to see how your shooting changes when there is a little stress in the picture. During one competition, what should have taken me four shots to complete, took me a full mag of 15 rounds. It was embarrassing and eye opening at the same time. You learn that sight alignment/picture, being smooth in your movement and trigger control are all very important.

We had a nice variety of pistols in the class: Glock, SIG, H&K and a Smith & Wesson M&P. Everybody’s pistol seemed to perform very well. It drives home the point that a quality pistol is always a good choice. The only problem I am aware of was a double-feed with the H&K. I am happy to report that my SIG P228 ate everything I fed it. I used Georgia Arms and Federal AE 115gr. 9mm FMJ, and did not have any problems with either. I am not sure of the exact round count that I fired, but I would say probably around the recommended 1,000 rounds. Lots of shooting and reloading mags. For those interested in taking this class, I would highly recommend using a mag loader like an UPLULA. My right index finger is still sore from all the trigger time and mag loading.

The Instructors

Todd and Dustin were excellent instructors. Their training and experience and law enforcement has given them a great knowledge base for defensive shooting techniques. They offer praise when you are doing well, but they are not afraid to give out constructive criticism where they see need for improvement. They stated that they are constantly changing the course curriculum with new skills, and updated training. So, the CIS classes are ever evolving, and the class you take today will be even better in the future.

Also, both of them are super nice guys. I mentioned that I was considering upgrading the trigger spring on my Glock 19 to the NY trigger, as I prefer a heavier trigger pull. Todd immediately spoke up, and offered to give me a NY trigger spring and install in for free. You can’t beat that! Now I have a Glock with the trigger pull I want. Thanks again, Todd!

Summary

CIS’s Defensive Pistol is an excellent course, and definitely worth the time and money. If you carry a gun for self-defense, or only have one for home defense, I would highly recommend this course. It will test your skills and your equipment. I have been through a few other firearms training courses, and I still took away a lot of info from this class. In my opinion, you can never get too much training, and there is always room for improvement.

_________________________________________________

Side note (as it really wasn’t part of the course): To make up for all the punishment they put us through, Todd and Dustin brought a Glock 18C to the class for us to put through its paces. I remember the first time I heard of the Glock machinegun, I figured that with its high cyclic rate, it would be near impossible to control. However, I have to tell you that it is very controllable. I was able to keep all the rounds on target, even shooting it with one hand. You could probably go through a 32 round mag in about 3 to 4 seconds with that thing. The G18C was a blast to shoot, and I found a new pistol to love; just too bad I can’t own one. Damn post-86 machinegun ban! Oh, well. I can still dream.

Andy, thank you for the kind words and the AAR!

And to be honest, I was alittle surprised at how damn good you were with that G18...

[Reservoir Dog]

And to be honest, I was alittle surprised at how damn good you were with that G18...

I think it was a sign that the G18 and I were meant to be together.

You know, Christmas is just around the corner. No need to wrap it.

[Guest clutepc]

Great Info, I hope to be able to attend one of these in the future.

[Guest flyfishtn]

Great Info, I hope to be able to attend one of these in the future.

You will not be disappointed. I took it this past Spring and will be back!

[Guest earthworm]

...CIS courses are time & money VERY well spent.

[molonlabetn]

...CIS courses are time & money VERY well spent.

+1

Can't wait to take another one, once I actually get another carbine.

Nice review!

[Guest Dustin@CIS]

Another thank you to Andy for the AAR.

[Guest Dustin@CIS]

[Guest Dustin@CIS]

[Reservoir Dog]

Dustin,

Thanks for the pics!

[Guest ab28]

I need to attend this one day. I live in Murfreesboro, so they are close. I fired my Glock 27 prone several times before, and it always jammed. Something about the slide not having enough energy to cycle or something, the energy is dissipated somewhat, not sure how. How do you shoot prone without this happening?

[Guest Todd@CIS]

Without having watched you fire from the prone, I can say with almost 100% certainty that you are experiencing "limpwrist" malfunctions.

These occur when your grip is not strong enough to stabilize the receiver while the slide is cycling. Mind your grip and I'll bet your prone position malfunctions disappear.

I look forward to seeing you in class.

[Guest ab28]

Sounds good, might be sometime in the spring, I will have to see how my class schedule turns out.