Looking for couple's training

[Librarian]

We've got the strategic stuff covered - the old 'do not do stupid things, go stupid places, hang with stupid people'.

We don't go to bars, 'bad' parts of town, or places where there might be 'demonstrations'. We don't stay out late, when 'not so bad' places can get 'bad'.

We're both licensed, and carry. We practice shooting - not enough, not combat or competitive, but competent at expected SD distance under unstressed conditions.

We've both studied martial arts, but are 'lapsed practitioners'.

I read Marc MacYoung, but we have always lived 'inside the picket fence', to riff on one of his books. Never personally developed much 'street smarts' - never needed them. My wife thinks I'm paranoid; based on life experience, she's probably right.

However, sometimes strategy may fail, and then we may have a situation.

I'm looking for tactical training, for couples to support one another in moving, withdrawing, or fighting if those do not work.

We're both 71. A class that basically requires a lot of athleticism is out. I run out of gas at around 6 hours (unless I can get a nap!) and if I should try to push past that I'm a danger to other students, at least with live fire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIfGPEB0W-s

Front Sight has something in the ballpark - 1 Day Tactical Awareness . I do like that there is no shooting component.

However, the pre-req is their $2000 4 Day Defensive Handgun, and their thoughts on acceptable handguns and holsters vary from mine and my wife's.

What I read suggests FS has its doctrine and methods; that's fine, it's their business and all, but I don't feel any flexibility there.

Every class I have ever taken had their Very Own One True Stance and Grip. "I'm sorry, no, I cannot hold my elbow that way ..." is one of my responses - instructors get frustrated.

Gunsite has a class on point, but 5 days in AZ plus their gun-handling pre-req is not do-able.

Thunder Ranch, up here in OR, is supposed to have such a class; it isn't on their class schedule through next January. I doubt my wife would like Clint Smith anyway.

A place in Ohio, TDI, seems to have a class on point.

Someplace in Delaware also seems to have a class.

Sadly in this aspect, we moved away from our favorite 1-on-1 shooting instructor, in Sacramento.

So what I'd like is a class that accommodates our capabilities and covers couple's tactics. Money is less of an issue, though flying to AZ or OH or DE for a class is unpopular.

Failing that, books, essays, web sites we can read may be useful.

Ideas?

ETA Jim Smith at NRA's Shooting illustrated has some articles, e.g. https://www.shootingillustrated.com/...nsive-shooters and several others

[Skip_Dog]

I think you nailed it toward the end of your post. You may be away from your 1 on 1 guy, but maybe look for another 1 on 1 guy/girl/they/them/insert the other 57 here.

Research one and if you don't like it find another.

[tony270]

My advice is to shoot, and shoot more often, not different firearms, but a pistol, a rifle, and a shotgun. Find the ammunition that preforms best, clean and maintain, it's better to be offensive, than defensive, defenders don't last, you'd need substantially more defenders to defend, than the aggressors need to aggressively attack. Find a spot for you and her to shoot out in the desert.

To be tactically effective athleticism is a must, unless your with a squad, where support fire could be effective, it's a waste of time and money. Experience from 1000's of hours trigger time is umpteen times better.

The biggest part about being tactically trained is being able to carry out offensive attacks, that's the bar IMO.

Good Luck

[cannon]

Can't vacation in Sacramento with your one on one guy?

[Librarian]

My advice is to shoot, and shoot more often, not different firearms, but a pistol, a rifle, and a shotgun. Find the ammunition that preforms best, clean and maintain, it's better to be offensive, than defensive, defenders don't last, you'd need substantially more defenders to defend, than the aggressors need to aggressively attack. Find a spot for you and her to shoot out in the desert.

To be tactically effective athleticism is a must, unless your with a squad, where support fire could be effective, it's a waste of time and money. Experience from 1000's of hours trigger time is umpteen times better.

The biggest part about being tactically trained is being able to carry out offensive attacks, that's the bar IMO.

Good Luck

That's a bit more than is likely - more like out to dinner, walking back to the car, jerk (or jerks) pops out of the shadows.

Thankfully, we do not lead such exciting lives.

[Librarian]

Can't vacation in Sacramento with your one on one guy?

Possible - email out to him on the topic.

[naz]

Private is the way to go. Find another instructor in your area

Also, how about drilling your draw from concealment, 2 shots, transition, 2 more shots

You mentioned that as your primary use case so getting really great at that is one area to consider.

Do you have red dot on your ccw? If not, consider adding

[Jeepergeo]

OP, I don't have an answer for you, but I do suspect your situation and needs speak for a lot of others.

It seems like many instructors, in this industry and others, want to push their clients into a preset mold. It is much harder to fully assess the client's needs and to develop custom training around those needs.

Years ago in a CCW qualifying round, there was a guy in a wheelchair that needed several special accomodations just to get to the firing line. I remember thinking that guy probably needs his CCW more than most. Anyway, the SBSD guys at the range assessed the situation and implemented the accomodations...it actually made me proud of my Sheriff, his department, and his deputies.

Good luck on your quest.

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

I'd find a training outfit that has home defense/room clearing. I don't see 71 year olds doing bounding and movement drills, but principles of defending and clearing your own home would be beneficial maybe?

[200Apples]

Since our esteemed Librarian has relocated a bit farther north, perhaps he might attempt to locate Paul Harrell, who is even farther north...

Only thing I can think of since OP pretty much covered everything else in the OP. I was going to suggest Gunsite.

[Epaphroditus]

Situational Awareness is king. All the fanciest shooting in the world won't do anything if you don't see IT coming.

[Patrick Aherne]

Send an email to ITTS. I've been able to work with partners during their pistol and rifle classes. You'll have to stay near LA, but the instruction is worth it.

[Librarian]

Situational Awareness is king. All the fanciest shooting in the world won't do anything if you don't see IT coming.

Yep; that's why we'd rather study that kind of thing more than the shooting part.

Nothing wrong with the shooting, just better to not have to do that because we saw a potential problem and avoided it.

[Librarian]

I'd find a training outfit that has home defense/room clearing. I don't see 71 year olds doing bounding and movement drills, but principles of defending and clearing your own home would be beneficial maybe?

Couple years ago, got a free class from an outfit in Marin County, in exchange for a review here. Force-on-force, simunition stuff, including room clearing. Good class, taught me room clearing is best left to the pros!

[Epaphroditus]

I used to do a practice (still do but it's more like second nature now so I don't have to think about it) to actively engage in heightened awareness.

Basically, follow people around (stores or malls) and watch what they do and try to predict their movements. It's exhausting at first but it really pays dividends.

You will begin to notice when someone will bump into someone else, what stores they will browse past and which they will go into.

There are lots of such practices.

Observing people while not being noticed is another skill. Posture and projection of intent are powerful elements - one call call attention to oneself or become invisible (meaning others ignore you). It's actually fun to practice.

https://www.torchstoneglobal.com/how-to-practice-sustainable-situational-awareness/