Attended both ACT classes MAR21-22 at Riley CC.
Highlights: Very nice range and facilities. Three great instructors throughout both days. Students ready to learn and improve. Gourmet hot dogs.
Defensive Pistol 101
John (obijohn) lead this class with assistance from Joe (rhino) and Aron (Coach). The morning was mostly discussion and demonstration covering a wide array from safety, handgun types, ammo selection, attitude/mindset, awareness, controlled agression, OODA loop fundamentals, holster types and carry positions, grips, stances, sight pictures, aiming and anatomy, presentation in steps out and back into the holster, trigger pull and reset, shot follow through, reloads, malfunctions and remedies, etc.
It was stressed that there is no "right" method for some of these skills but many were chosen for the best blend of efficiency and effectiveness. Alternatives were also explained. The suggestion was for us to try these methods as instructed to formulate a good objective with which we could compare other methods.
After a lunch of gourmet hotdogs, chips and cookies (and my usual extra large Starbucks Doubleshot) we headed to the range.
Started slow with drawing in steps to some slow shots and received fine tuning and suggestions on individual basis. Then we sped up and began servicing target areas with multiple shots and mixing up the called target areas. Then, (and I knew it was coming) MOVING. Moving off the line of attack, drawing and servicing the called area. Then snap cap malfunction clearing while MOVING and reengaging target. Reloading from slidelock while MOVING.
MOVING, shooting, MOVING wile reducing malfunction, shooting, MOVING wile reloading, shooting, MOVING while scanning for further threats. Of course by scanning I mean SEEING what you need to see.
Wow. Simple to read but anyone who does this whole exercise really well while even remotely treating that target as a real threat in their mind has put in the practice. And practice I shall...
Defensive Rifle 101
Joe (rhino) lead this class with assistance from John (obijohn) and Aron (Coach). Again the morning was mostly discussion and demonstration covering some of the same material since these are offered as stand alone classes and not all students had attended the pistol class. Many of the topics, though similar, were presented in the rifle context. Rifle specific topics included sling types and carry methods, mechanisms and operation of the AR platform (every student was using an AR,) configuration of lights and other accessories, grip/handguard options, iron sight pictures and optics, zeroing suggestions, etc. Restressed that some of the proposed methods were not the "only" methods but we were encouraged us to try them and then adopt what seemed best.
Yes! I smell gourmet hotdogs! Another grand lunch and down to the range.
From 25 yards we verified or adjusted to suggested 50 yard zero (which is 1-1/8 inch low for a 5.56 AR.) Practiced positions and presentation to slow accurate fire. Moved up very close and took a head shot. Hmm... everyone is way low. Sight offset (distance of sights from barrel) is more pronounced up close. Seems like I knew that but honestly had never shot that close with my AR to see how much. Two words... hold over (aim high.)
Speed up. Stack up those hits. Give that threat the service it requires and place it to the called area quickly. There was more discussion and practical fine tuning even during break/reloading times. Everyone manually created a light doublefeed to go through the steps to clear.
MOVE if you're not shooting. Why yes... we DO have snap caps for you. Of course you still need to reload - 30 rounds doesn't last as long as you thin*MOVEMOVEMOVE!*
Finished up with the same full drill as the pistol class which transfered to rifle with minimal modifications.
I am trying some new methods and have some practicing to do.
Kudos to ACT for a fun and extremely worthwhile weekend.
Highlights: Very nice range and facilities. Three great instructors throughout both days. Students ready to learn and improve. Gourmet hot dogs.
Defensive Pistol 101
John (obijohn) lead this class with assistance from Joe (rhino) and Aron (Coach). The morning was mostly discussion and demonstration covering a wide array from safety, handgun types, ammo selection, attitude/mindset, awareness, controlled agression, OODA loop fundamentals, holster types and carry positions, grips, stances, sight pictures, aiming and anatomy, presentation in steps out and back into the holster, trigger pull and reset, shot follow through, reloads, malfunctions and remedies, etc.
It was stressed that there is no "right" method for some of these skills but many were chosen for the best blend of efficiency and effectiveness. Alternatives were also explained. The suggestion was for us to try these methods as instructed to formulate a good objective with which we could compare other methods.
After a lunch of gourmet hotdogs, chips and cookies (and my usual extra large Starbucks Doubleshot) we headed to the range.
Started slow with drawing in steps to some slow shots and received fine tuning and suggestions on individual basis. Then we sped up and began servicing target areas with multiple shots and mixing up the called target areas. Then, (and I knew it was coming) MOVING. Moving off the line of attack, drawing and servicing the called area. Then snap cap malfunction clearing while MOVING and reengaging target. Reloading from slidelock while MOVING.
MOVING, shooting, MOVING wile reducing malfunction, shooting, MOVING wile reloading, shooting, MOVING while scanning for further threats. Of course by scanning I mean SEEING what you need to see.
Wow. Simple to read but anyone who does this whole exercise really well while even remotely treating that target as a real threat in their mind has put in the practice. And practice I shall...
Defensive Rifle 101
Joe (rhino) lead this class with assistance from John (obijohn) and Aron (Coach). Again the morning was mostly discussion and demonstration covering some of the same material since these are offered as stand alone classes and not all students had attended the pistol class. Many of the topics, though similar, were presented in the rifle context. Rifle specific topics included sling types and carry methods, mechanisms and operation of the AR platform (every student was using an AR,) configuration of lights and other accessories, grip/handguard options, iron sight pictures and optics, zeroing suggestions, etc. Restressed that some of the proposed methods were not the "only" methods but we were encouraged us to try them and then adopt what seemed best.
Yes! I smell gourmet hotdogs! Another grand lunch and down to the range.
From 25 yards we verified or adjusted to suggested 50 yard zero (which is 1-1/8 inch low for a 5.56 AR.) Practiced positions and presentation to slow accurate fire. Moved up very close and took a head shot. Hmm... everyone is way low. Sight offset (distance of sights from barrel) is more pronounced up close. Seems like I knew that but honestly had never shot that close with my AR to see how much. Two words... hold over (aim high.)
Speed up. Stack up those hits. Give that threat the service it requires and place it to the called area quickly. There was more discussion and practical fine tuning even during break/reloading times. Everyone manually created a light doublefeed to go through the steps to clear.
MOVE if you're not shooting. Why yes... we DO have snap caps for you. Of course you still need to reload - 30 rounds doesn't last as long as you thin*MOVEMOVEMOVE!*
Finished up with the same full drill as the pistol class which transfered to rifle with minimal modifications.
I am trying some new methods and have some practicing to do.
Kudos to ACT for a fun and extremely worthwhile weekend.
My airhead meter was pegged more than once this weekend. 
