San Mateo

[Gun Kraft]

I put tables behind the firing line for people to stage their ammo and reload mags. There are stools you can sit on at the range but you're welcome to bring your own as well.

I take a different approach than some instructors. I've taken many classes where they have you pay a range fee separately instead of including it in the total cost. I don't do that. At the range I bring tables so students have a place to stage gear. The San Leandro range only has 20 marked parking spots which isn't many for 28 lanes. So rather than hog most spots all day and inconvenience regular shooters I try to have my students double-park in one section of the parking lot to minimize how many spots we take up.

Little things like that may seem minor and most people probably don't even notice. But I think they improve the overall experience.

[DJD100]

Thank you Djantlive and The right for your reviews. I welcome any other student reviews--both good and bad--that might help others decide if they want to take our class. I don't claim to offer the best class, but I do try to give my best and I always appreciate feedback on how I can make it better.

For our courses of fire you only need two magazines per handgun. Usually we run a given course of fire twice. There are two strings of shooters so one string is loading their magazines while the other string is shooting. That minimizes downtime. The slowest part is during qual when shooters have to load magazines for the next distance (12 shots each at 10 yards, 7 yards and 5 yards).

Shooting is fun and is probably what got all of us interested in CCWs to begin with. But when it comes to concealed carry there's so much more that is important that people don't necessarily think about or seek training on. How to become more situationally aware, potential consequences of active killer situations, low-light techniques, physiological reactions to stress, emotional aftermath, the list goes on and on.

You might think 5 hours in the classroom is purgatory but I really think the material is important and I try to deliver it in a way that is both informative and engaging.

Question about the mag reloading...

I have 3 mags for my Kahr PM9, though they have MagGuts +1 springs/followers, and they're very difficult to load without using a UpLULA Mag Loader (sore thumb syndrome LOL!), which requires a solid surface to use etc, so will there be a table or something to reload the mags on (without holding anyone up...), or do I have to use the floor, or...?

Also, someone mentioned standing for four hours straight, which won't work for me after multiple knee surgeries, so is it ok to bring a portable seat/stool etc?

Thx, in the low 500's, so see you in a bit...

[Gun Kraft]

Thank you Djantlive and The right for your reviews. I welcome any other student reviews--both good and bad--that might help others decide if they want to take our class. I don't claim to offer the best class, but I do try to give my best and I always appreciate feedback on how I can make it better.

For our courses of fire you only need two magazines per handgun. Usually we run a given course of fire twice. There are two strings of shooters so one string is loading their magazines while the other string is shooting. That minimizes downtime. The slowest part is during qual when shooters have to load magazines for the next distance (12 shots each at 10 yards, 7 yards and 5 yards).

Shooting is fun and is probably what got all of us interested in CCWs to begin with. But when it comes to concealed carry there's so much more that is important that people don't necessarily think about or seek training on. How to become more situationally aware, potential consequences of active killer situations, low-light techniques, physiological reactions to stress, emotional aftermath, the list goes on and on.

You might think 5 hours in the classroom is purgatory but I really think the material is important and I try to deliver it in a way that is both informative and engaging.

[NorCalBusa]

You are best off asking GunKraft

[The right]

Took the GunKraft class with Robin Yang this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. Even with 8+ full days of handgun training from professionals, I walked away with more knowledge and skill. The instructor strives to give you all the knowledge and skill he can the short amount of time. Day starts out with a short classroom meeting and heads to the range where you do some warmup drills and the run through the qualification shoot.This runs up to lunch making about 3.5 hours of range time. Bring all the mags you want but you'll never be loading more than 8 rounds into a magazine. 6 mags per gun if you have them would be the max you can utilize. But in reality, you'll be fine with 2 if your mags hold 6+ rounds. Like most firearms classes, you can only move as fast as your slowest student.

I advise bringing extra ammo and some your own lunch so you can shoot on your own during your lunch break if you want to get the most out of it.

After lunch, class covers holstering from multiple positions, low light tactics, laws, scenarios, general tactics and first aid for gun shot wounds. Instructor provides airsoft guns and holsters for both OWB and IWB appendix training too. You also utilize some weapon lights and flashlights to get a a feel for multiple different lighting techniques.

My hat goes off to Robin as he taught an awesome class and goes out of his way to make sure he gives you all that he can given the time and curriculum. My buddy was in the SMCSO class and speaking with him about his experience, as mad as I was the SMCSO cancelled their classes, this class gave me something more than just a qualification and what if scenarios. For that I credit Robin and his passion for firearms and training.

[mrnvldz]

I took the Gun Kraft course and qualification today. It was a very thorough and thoughtful training. Qualification did not require holstering and we were trained using airsoft guns on drawing exercises. A variety of scenarios covering legal, safety, psychological and tactical aspects were enlightening.

[ronlglock]

San Mateo

While I think instructors (contracted) are a great solution and they need to run their class as they see fit- seems odd we have one that requires holster use to pass and another that does not, since the Esso has jammed their view of criteria into the process.

[blackrat]

TO VENDORS -

I have three magazines, do I need to purchase three more? Is this acceptable? Do I reload the second round of 6 shots in each magazine while waiting in line hold up the class?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

You can do it with three, it's just recommended to do it with more to keep things moving. I did three pistols and brought 5 for two of them, necessitating reloading the first empty mag I acquired with spare bullets from a back pocket in between rounds. Was not an issue as by the time I needed that last mag I'd had multiple occasions to feed a few bullets into it and it was already full and in my carrier. However my last pistol only has 6 shot capability and I only had three mags for it, and it's kinda a pain to load. I had to reload the first mag as soon as we finished the 5 yard drill, then after we finished the 7 yard drill I had to reload two magazines to have enough to finish the 10 yard drill. The other shooters had to stand by while I loaded that last mag and made the pistol ready for the final shoot, no one wants to be the one holding up other people that are ready to go. I would have much rather had the magazines on hand but they aren't readily available at the moment and I had to run what I had.

[tr/328]

TO VENDORS -

I have three magazines, do I need to purchase three more? Is this acceptable? Do I reload the second round of 6 shots in each magazine while waiting in line hold up the class?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

[NorCalBusa]

While I think instructors (contracted) are a great solution and they need to run their class as they see fit- seems odd we have one that requires holster use to pass and another that does not, since the Esso has jammed their view of criteria into the process.

[ronlglock]

BayProfs will start approved classes in January at Coyote Point range using USCCA and NRA material.

https://bayprofs.org

[Djantlive]

I took the Gun Kraft course and qualification today. It was a very thorough and thoughtful training. Qualification did not require holstering and we were trained using airsoft guns on drawing exercises. A variety of scenarios covering legal, safety, psychological and tactical aspects were enlightening.

[magtuck]

[db556762]

That class from Saber today was great and Nick and his assistants were just as Sandhill described.

Come ready to ask any questions that you may have from the online portion. First part of class is Q&A.

The SMC qual test requires 36 shots shot at 5, 7 and 10 yards. 12 shots at each distance and broken out into two strings of 6 shots. Ex, at 5 yards, you load and make ready, reholster, beep goes off and you have unlimited time to shoot a string of 6 shots. Reload and then reholster after you shoot your six shots and be ready for the next 6. It is up to the person testing to control and remember to shoot exactly 6 shots each time. If you shoot 7, you're disqualified. This is a listening to instructions requirement from SMSO.

Easiest way to control the count of each string is to load your magazines to 6 rounds total and then have 6 magazines loaded. If you have less than 6 magazines, you will have to reload while standing at the shooting lines from loose rounds from your pockets. That is not as practical, but some people did that.

Also, you have to get 30 of 36 shots in the target area. The area is defined by the silhouette. I'll upload a photo if I figure out how to do that here.

For the class, there will be dry fire training and live ammo shooting practice with one of your guns. Bring extra ammo for that training session for that gun. You can then have the 36 rounds per handgun to qual with. Save time and preload your mags in 6s. Having an easy on and off holster is great for switching between handguns.

When the fans turn on the indoor range at Coyote point gets cold from the outside cold air (if winter time). Long sleeves recommend if you don't want to wear a jacket while shooting and dealing with that as your concealment garment.

You will also be standing for 4 hours straight, so be prepared for that. No breaks given, either, as the class is crammed with teaching and activities to get our time's worth out of it.

People at the class said that SMSO looks to be processing the 260th person in line as of last week.

[sabertactics]

Took the Saber Tactics CCW class and did the qualification with them this morning. Really great class. Nick and his crew are very profesional and I highly reommend them.

One pro-tip for anyone qualifying in SM County: You do have to draw from concelament. This was contrary to info previously posted on this thread. You can use an OWB holster, but you need a cover garment over it. Not a big deal, but something to take into consideration for your load out and your clothes for the qualificaiton. Also, it's pretty cold on the range this time of year, so dress accordingly.

Otherwise, the test was as previously reported here and was not hard. Everyone passed. There will be more CCW permits in SMC soon!

It was great having you in class today. Thank you for pointing that out - yes, we do draw from the holster which is a requirement from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, and we do highly recommended having an IWB holster versus an OWB, although if that's all you have, we'll accept it. Also, definitely a good idea to wear something over your holster to get some practice clearing your clothing and drawing from concealment.