CCW, Now what?

[CaliforniaCowboy]

So been shooting off an on since I was a kid. Rifle in the backyard kind of thing. I am comfortable with long guns and handguns. Very little experience with revolvers. In the process of getting my CCW currently. The only shooting class I ever took was a basic handgun course a couple years ago to get an intro to handguns. Very comfortable now. But once I have my CCW, what is the next step, I want to continue my education/training. What is the first class I should take? I would like to build up both my handgun and rifle skills but maybe handgun first. I am in the Fresno/Madera area. Not interested in flying or driving to Texas or North Carolina for training. Prefer something local if possible.

Any suggestions on next course and maybe who to do it with?

[tomrkba]

1) Take any “level 1” two to five day defensive handgun class. See Rangemaster Tactical conference for a list of instructors. Add: Thunder Ranch, Gunsite, Frontsight, Firearms Academy of Seattle.

Attending Mas Ayoob’s MAG-40 class is the single best class you can take to start. He is getting near retirement, so go soon.

2) Attend ECQC with Craig Douglas

3) Attend Recoil Mitigation with Paul Sharp. If he is not offering classes at the time, go to the Rangemaster Tactical Conference

4) Attend William Aprill’s class on criminal psychology. He presents at “Unthinkable” and has a traveling schedule. He is on youtube too.

5) Attend Roger’s Schooling School in Georgia for your shooting PhD.

6) Attend “Point Shooting Progressions” with Roger Phillips.


Continually watch Active Self Protection on youtube.

Right now, you should be working upon getting physically fit and going to boxing or martial arts several times a week.

[tomrkba]

Paul Sharp's "Recoil Mitigation"

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtbs7wd5C-URhwiK2-y0Qn1ZED9qL9Ifj

Training points:

Mitigating muzzle rise from the wrist (Videos 1-4):

1) Lock wrist on each hand that is touching the gun
2) Hard pinky finger pressure
3) Push thumbs forward hard
4) Proper grip: High in the tang, high under the trigger guard. Forward thumb on support hand. Check by placing trigger finger and support hand thumb on frame. They should be equal on the frame (point up to check).

Test by attempting to bend the wrist upward. Instructor places finger on wrist tendon to verify (Video 5). The shooter will tighten up and prevent as much movement as possible.

Mitigating side to side muzzle movement (Videos 6-7):

1) Tighten the elbow of each hand on the gun
2) Tighten the shoulder of each hand on the gun

Test by attempting to move the gun in a circle.

Mitigating gun push backwards (Videos 8-13) :

1) Use hard push-pull.
2) Push from the primary hand shoulder.
3) If support hand is on the gun, pull back into the primary hand.
4) Nose over toes. Stance is aggressive and nose should be over or slightly past the forward toe. There are no stances in a fight, but this is the optimal case.

Instructor tests by pressing with continuous pressure against the shooter's hand. Their head should not move very much. The instructor should watch for head movement by comparing to a static item in the background. Properly done, the shooter's head will barely move during recoil. Watch the shooter's toes. They should not rise.

Video 14 is a summary of training points.

[FresnoRob]

Some of the instructors at The Range do private instruction also from time to time there are group classes that do more than just teach standing still shooting. If he’s still there I like Curt Hamett.
If you want some travel Rudy Waldinger in Nevada. http://dftraining.net/

[BigBamBoo]

start shooting IDPA and/or USPSA.

This will build accuracy, muscle memory, and speed while under the stress of the timer.

Clearing stoppages/malfunctions will become second nature.

Couple that with some good combat pistol classes and you will have some solid gunfighter skills....not to mention it is a whole lot of fun!

.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Right now, you should be working upon getting physically fit and going to boxing or martial arts several times a week.

Thanks for the advice guys, taking notes.

As for the Boxing/martial arts. I have been boxing since I was 13, along with other martial arts. Taking out a Kneecap is my specialty if it is a serious situation :wink: but straight boxing is my default. I am very comfortable with my hand to hand skills but... I will not lie, I have put on quite a few pounds and could use some Bag and Canvas time. Then there is the back injury, blew out a disc actually while participating in martial arts training at the gym. I do not need meds and it just aches in the mornings but I am less confident now if I had to get in a street fight. If I had to scuffle with someone there is a good chance it would blow out again, I would just have to hope that the adrenaline would allow me to continue to fight till it was over. ****, my 7yo nephew can put the hurt on me by jumping up on my back. If I could ignore the pain I would be fine.

Ill keep an eye out for Mas Ayoob’s classes. Thanks.