TNVC recently ran our first Nightfighter 101 class at Pro Gun Vegas on April 10-11. This was a sold-out class, and we really enjoyed having that many students--we actually were able to use 2 ranges, bring in extra staff, and ran 2 classes at one time. The class had a healthy mix of law enforcement, industry and civilians in the class; the doversity of student backgrounds made for a very fun class to teach. This was the first time we trained at Pro Gun, and we really enjoyed being there. It is a great facility and will be a staple in our training venues for years to come. Bobby and Mark are world class in their facilities and support, and it is well worth your time and money to take a class there. Plus, at the end of the night, we were able to team up with the host range and offer a night MG shoot.
Our Try Before You Buy event preceded this class, and it was a huge success. If you are looking to try out some gear before you make a purchase, be sure to check that out. More information is available on our website.
The weather was amazing—another perfect weekend. Temperatures were perfect for the class. Illumination was low, but with the lights of Vegas just over the mountain, we had plenty of ambient light to help the goggles work. Dust at times challenged the goggles and their ability to work, but nothing too bad.
We saw a wide spread of night vision devices in this class. Everything from PVS14s to white phosphor DTNVSs. No student complained of being under-equipped, and there were no goggle-related issues at all.
We saw a wide range of equipment on both the guns and in soft gear. Likewise, we saw a fair amount of changes between night 1 and 2, and I suspect that there will be additional changes once students are home and working on their kit. This is common, and we encourage our students to bring what they have to the class, run it, and THEN make changes. Better use of of your time and money. The only gear we strongly encourage purchasing prior to a class is a high mount for your carbine optic and a red dot on your handgun--these two pieces will make your class experience so much better.
At this range, we were able to take advantage of the facilities and again offer the hunter/hunted drill with both light and NVGs. It is one of our favorite training events in the class.
Our schedule remains busy and full this year. Seats are filling up, and we are looking forward to our next Nightfighter 101 in Alliance, OH in about 10 days.
We cannot say enough about the hosts at Pro Gun. Bobby and Mark were super easy to work with, and worked very hard to make sure the class was a success. It is a great place to shoot, and they constantly have solid trainers coming through their facility. If you are looking for additional training, check them out.
We had a great time with the optional MG shoot with lasers on M249s and M240s.
Additionally, several companies generously stepped up to offer students swag and such for their attendance. We really appreciate their generosity and are proud to have them associated with our classes.
Rite in the Rain
Ops-Core
Unity Tactical
Thyrm
Geissele Automatics
Otte Gear
Phokus Research Group
Blue Force Gear