Beyond the CCW training class

[grantar2]

In 2015, beyond your required CCW training, did you take any other CCW or combat shooting training? Did you compete in any of the CCW combat shooting sports such as IDPA, USPSA, Glock Shooting Sports Foundation, 3-Gun Nation?

If you competed in any of the formal shooting sports, how has it helped you prepare for a potential CCW encounter?

Have you developed any training scars as a result of the sport. Quickly dropping your mag and showing clear has shown up in past high pressure training.

If you competed in more than one series which do you feel helps you prepare for a real world encounter the most, vs. which is most fun?

[CAL.BAR]

The answer is YES for me. I compete regularly in IDPA style shooting competitions including 3 gun. I think that IDPA (taken seriously rather than gaming) can be about the best training that an ordinary civilian can get without spending a ton of money.

What does no gaming mean?
Well, use your REAL cover garment - not the fishing vest.
Use a gun on your CCW list - not your tricked out race gun
Use your CCW holster/rig - not your IPSC space man rig with stuff sticking out everywhere
Shoot the match like you mean it. Don't just figure out how to "game" the stage for the fastest time.
Use cover like your life depended on it (it may some day)

With these stipulations, I think IDPA can be fun AND good training.
Beyond that, get out to Burro or where ever and practice your draw and double taps at about 7 yards over and over and over in as many ways as possible, until doing so is second nature (and as fast and accurately as possible).

[grantar2]

CAL.BAR I agree with you on IDPA.

I shoot IDPA as often as I can get the Sunday free, and the Thursday night matches at Iron Sights. Really used to love shooting the events Charlie puts together at On-Target the third Saturday of the month, but they end at 10, and my holster shop is only open from 9am - 2pm, because the location I am in closes at 2pm. Hate to miss any hours as we struggle to make a go of it.

[bigcory707]

my ccw trainer gives you an extra one on one two hour class on tactical shooting for free. Sad to say that he says 90% of his people never come back for this extra class, they only want to get the minimum to get their ccw. It was the most informative shooting training I have had other than M16 training in the military. And yes, I cut my thumb doing a transistion type move with the slide hitting my finger.

[DRoberts12345]

Front sight. Good training and lots of fun. My son and I have been shooting USPSA matches for fun but it is good training and practice.

[grantar2]

my ccw trainer gives you an extra one on one two hour class on tactical shooting for free. Sad to say that he says 90% of his people never come back for this extra class, they only want to get the minimum to get their ccw. It was the most informative shooting training I have had other than M16 training in the military. And yes, I cut my thumb doing a transistion type move with the slide hitting my finger.

Yep, I am a little worried. I have another thread on new years resolutions about training in 2016 and have on response in 119 views so far.

Sort of like Top Gun, I used to work for one of the guys who commanded Top Gun in it's Hay Day, he has also commanded VX-4. None on the students, not one, had ever won on day one.

Sort of like what I see at Artemis. You put very experience shooters into the scenarios, and first pass I haven't seen a civilian fully succeed, not one. By the end they are so much more aware, and competent.

It amazes me when were talking about having a tool for life and death situations, where your not in control of the event, how few people practice, or train. (Shooting at a static firing line is not training).

[bigcory707]

Yep, I am a little worried. I have another thread on new years resolutions about training in 2016 and have on response in 119 views so far.

Sort of like Top Gun, I used to work for one of the guys who commanded Top Gun in it's Hay Day, he has also commanded VX-4. None on the students, not one, had ever won on day one.

Sort of like what I see at Artemis. You put very experience shooters into the scenarios, and first pass I haven't seen a civilian fully succeed, not one. By the end they are so much more aware, and competent.

It amazes me when were talking about having a tool for life and death situations, where your not in control of the event, how few people practice, or train. (Shooting at a static firing line is not training).

I would go every week to this class if it was free, lol. But I will continue to train as long as I can afford more ammo. One thing is for sure, when you are in a class like that, ammo goes way too fast, because it is fun

[neomedic]

my ccw trainer gives you an extra one on one two hour class on tactical shooting for free. Sad to say that he says 90% of his people never come back for this extra class, they only want to get the minimum to get their ccw. It was the most informative shooting training I have had other than M16 training in the military. And yes, I cut my thumb doing a transistion type move with the slide hitting my finger.

Which CCW trainer / class was this if you don't mind sharing? thanks.

[bigcory707]

Which CCW trainer / class was this if you don't mind sharing? thanks.

baptist security training in vacaville

[GlockN'Roll]

I would go every week to this class if it was free, lol.

But I will continue to train as long as I can afford more ammo.

One thing is for sure, when you are in a class like that, ammo goes way too fast, because it is fun

Many (most?) of us would train more often if the realities of life (marriage, work, parenthood, commuting, budget...) didn't interfere.

While we would likely all agree that more real training is nearly essential, everything else in life pushes it down the to-do list pretty quick.

The daily triage that we all must do makes training, for most of us, optional ...

[grantar2]

I think this article is a valuable viewpoint when considering training. http://www.personaldefensenetwork.co...r-do-the-work/

[Mark49]

The IE

Any of these offered in the San Bernardino area... I would love to join

[caliberetta]

The answer is YES for me. I compete regularly in IDPA style shooting competitions including 3 gun. I think that IDPA (taken seriously rather than gaming) can be about the best training that an ordinary civilian can get without spending a ton of money.

What does no gaming mean?
Well, use your REAL cover garment - not the fishing vest.
Use a gun on your CCW list - not your tricked out race gun
Use your CCW holster/rig - not your IPSC space man rig with stuff sticking out everywhere
Shoot the match like you mean it. Don't just figure out how to "game" the stage for the fastest time.
Use cover like your life depended on it (it may some day)

With these stipulations, I think IDPA can be fun AND good training.
Beyond that, get out to Burro or where ever and practice your draw and double taps at about 7 yards over and over and over in as many ways as possible, until doing so is second nature (and as fast and accurately as possible).

Great advise.

Since I submitted my CCW application in April of 2014, I have trained as much as I could, and have shot almost 8,000 rounds in practice, which has consisted of:

- Purchase of range membership. When I am not traveling I go at least once a week, shooting anywhere from 50 to 200 rounds per session.
- CCW Class
- CCW Hour (Tues/Thurs at On-Target - self practice with CCW gear)
- CCW Night (Once a month, All-Safe @ T3 Tactical - group practice with CCW gear)
- Artemis (attended 6x 1hr sessions - private simulator sessions)
- Countless hours of self education, research, reading and watching any video related to responsible and effective CCW duties.

Since CCW application, I have easily spent about $3,000 in training and ammunition. I have also easily spent another $5k trying out various CCW pistols (at least a dozen, buying, trying and selling in the Calguns Marketplace) and the same for numerous amount of gear and add-ons, only as necessary.

When considering everything, I think I have invested about $10k (half of that are in the guns and ammo that I have). Although this is plenty of money for sure, this amount is VERY SMALL considering the importance of the objective. (It's much less than the expense of owning a car).

All these combined have vastly improved my CCW skills, and I still think I want to do more. It's hard to imagine being less prepared and investing any less time or money into it, for a lifetime of personal security and responsibility.

I hope to join IDPA at some point, but unfortunately it is not possible at this time, due to my work schedule and other family duties. I just do what I can to make it all fit in the time I have.

[grantar2]

Great advise.

Since I submitted my CCW application in April of 2014, I have trained as much as I could, and have shot almost 8,000 rounds in practice, which has consisted of:

- Purchase of range membership. When I am not traveling I go at least once a week, shooting anywhere from 50 to 200 rounds per session.
- CCW Class
- CCW Hour (Tues/Thurs at On-Target - self practice with CCW gear)
- CCW Night (Once a month, All-Safe @ T3 Tactical - group practice with CCW gear)
- Artemis (attended 6x 1hr sessions - private simulator sessions)
- Countless hours of self education, research, reading and watching any video related to responsible and effective CCW duties.

Since CCW application, I have easily spent about $3,000 in training and ammunition. I have also easily spent another $5k trying out various CCW pistols (at least a dozen, buying, trying and selling in the Calguns Marketplace) and the same for numerous amount of gear and add-ons, only as necessary.

When considering everything, I think I'm in for about $10k. Although its plenty of money for sure, this amount is small considering the importance of the objective. (It's less than the expense of owning a car).

All these combined have vastly improved my CCW skills, and I still think I want to do more. It's hard to imagine being less prepared and investing any less time or money into it, for a lifetime of personal security and responsibility.

I hope to join IDPA at some point, but unfortunately it is not possible at this time, due to my work schedule and other family duties. I just do what I can to make it all fit in the time I have.

If you can do the third Saturday of the month with Charlie at On-Target I think you would get a lot out of it.

[JohnCCW]

OP- reads like an ad for your services. Sorry I posted this to keep you at the top.