Lighthorse Tactical GUNS-3 (www.lighthorsetactical.com)

Chief Instructor: Curt Carpenter

Date: 24 MAY 14

Round Count: ~300 carbine, ~200 pistol

Duration: 8 Hours

Location: Double Tap Training Grounds Calera, AL (www.doubletapal.com)

BLUF: Highly recommended. It was a very good (and very hot!) training day. If you’ve moved past some basic classes, GUNS-3 is the class for you.

First Block: Class began with the standard introductions and safety briefings followed by a zero confirmation. The class consisted of a mix of civilians, LEOs, and .mil types. Experience level for the class was pretty high as GUNS-3 is considered one of Lighthorse’s “advanced” classes and everyone showed up ready to perform.  

Second Block: This block began with some warm up drills and some discussion on “Tactical Rituals” (AKA “do your gunfighter stuff”) and how to ensure you and your weapon systems are prepared for the fight. With handguns we just worked some basic accuracy drills from the seven yard line and then added in some work on drawstroke from the holster. The four count drawstroke was reviewed, and we did a few “by the numbers” drawstroke drills. We then picked up the long guns and did the same type of warm up. Throughout this other basic tactical skills were introduced. The instructors expected us to do a buddy check after every string of fire, to use good ammo management practices, and to get in the habit of driving the target to the ground visually or ballistically.

Third Block: After a quick break to top off some mags and pound some water, we went over transitions from rifle to handgun. The lesson on transitions also included a lesson on prowords for letting your buddies know when you had a broken or empty blaster and when you were back in the fight. We drilled transitions fairly heavily as it is a big part of what this class is about.

Fourth Block: Malfunctions were up next. We focused on malfunctions with the rifles, and ran through drills for the various types. We began just needing to fix the rifle, then as we continued you were required to transition to your sidearm first, get your hits, then go back and fix your rifle. The class continually built on skills you had picked up throughout the day. After we had set up a few different malfunctions intentionally, we moved on to where the instructors would induce malfunctions with the PAW. For those of you familiar with the PAW, you hate it. For those of you who are not, it is a device invented by Curt that is capable of inducing every malfunction that an AR can experience. Once you experience a PAW-induced malfunction, you would transition to your sidearm, get your hits, then fix your rifle.

Fifth Block: Rolling Thunder drill. This drill essentially simulates moving down past hallways and needing to leapfrog your buddies as you moved from hallway to hallway. We worked our way down the firing line, engaging clusters of three targets and communicating with your buddies along the way. This was a good drill as it really forced you to open up your world and expand your situational awareness to more than just a piece of paper a few yards away. This drill was done just moving down the line as well as moving from cover to cover.
Sixth Block: Shooting on the move drills. Started with simple shooting while moving forward drills, then transitioned to button hook drills and tank turret drills.
Seventh Block: Medical section. Application and use of tourniquets was discussed and demonstrated, as was proper wound packing. We also discussed where to locate tourniquets and IFAKs on your gear.

Eighth Block/Out Test: Gunfight Gone Bad. This is the out test for the GUNS-3 course, and it definitely is a tough test. By itself, it does not seem difficult, but add in the fact that it was very hot, you are put under a time limit, and you’re doing it alone in front of the rest of the class and suddenly it becomes a very difficult task. In short, the course of fire involves you moving from the 50 yard line down to the five yard line, and you must engage the target as you move from position to position. Your magazines are interspersed with dummy rounds, so as you fire you will undoubtedly encounter malfunctions. If your rifle breaks outside of 25 yards, you are expected to move back behind cover and fix it. If you are inside 25 yards you are expected to transition to your pistol until you get to the next position, where you can then fix your rifle.  The standard to pass is completing the course in under 3 minutes with less than four misses, but there is the “Pale Invictus” level that can be attained if you run the course of fire in less than two minutes with no misses. This is where much of the stress from the course of fire comes from. Of the folks in the class, there were two Pale Vic qualifying runs, bringing the total number of shooters allowed to wear the Pale Vic patch to five.

Summary: Take it, it’s well worth your time, money and ammo. If you have a good foundation of skills and want to push yourself, GUNS-3 is for you.  

I have taken quite a few Lighthorse classes now, and I always have a great experience. Lighthorse does not waste your money, your time, or your ammo. They want there to be value in every round you fire, and to not just burn targets down for the sake of looking cool burning targets down. They are highly recommended and I strongly encourage everyone to take a class or three from them.

My Equipment: BCM EAG 14.5” middy w/ Aimpoint PRO, Glock 17 in a GCode SOC holster, LBT 6094A with a variety of HSGI rifle Taco pouches, pistol Tacos mounted on a Raven Concealment Moduloader on a DSG Arms 1.75” duty belt, Vertx pants, and Lowa Zephyr Mid boots.


I'll try and get a few pictures or a video or two up if I can track some down.

Great AAR & I had a good time as well!