Posted: 8/8/2006 4:00:08 AM EDT
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Tony and Pete, My first formal training was with FIRE this year. I must honestly say that I loved it and that I want more. My question is: What is my next logical progression? I want pistol training before I progress into more carbine training. What about other schools of basic carbine training? What about Giles Intermediate Carbine Class? When will I be "ready" for it? This is a whole new world that I am very eager to take part in, but I want to do it the right way. Thanks again Tony and Pete for all of your instruction and advice. |
IMO the first order of business would be to honestly assess how much of the material we covered in the carbine course you absorbed and have since been practicing and can perform with a high degree of consistency. If it's a choice between having to spend money on gear specific to a handgun course (holster, pouches, pistol magazines and ammo, etc.) or attending another basic carbine course in order to firm up some deficiencies in your basic carbine skills, I think I'd attend another carbine course before moving on to pistol. Try to be honest with yourself about your basic skill level with a carbine. One way to help make that determination is to use the qual course of fire that's in your carbine handbook as a benchmark. If you can meet or exceed the passing score of 180 under the alloted time constraints then you have a good foundation and moving on to pistol would be adviseable.
It's a very good idea to attend basic classes from other instructors. A different instructor with a slightly different perspective, a different emphasis, or another way of explaining the same thing can sometimes have a profound impact on a students ability to absorb the material.
In my experience, with the benefit of hindsight, I personally wouldn't attend intermediate carbine until I could pass the timed qual course of fire consistently. The qual CoF we use is a good measure of how well you absorbed the lion's share of the material in basic carbine. If you can't yet pass the qual CoF that means you still need to firm up some of those basic skills. Attend an intermediate course prematurely and you won't be getting the most out of the class. You'll struggle because in addition to being exposed to new skill sets, intermediate carbine includes shooting drills that involve more distance and compressed time standards. This is where the prerequisite thing gets kind of thorny. Just because you have a certificate confirming you attended a basic class doesn't necessarily mean you're "ready" for an intermediate class. Again, honestly assess your current skill level. You get more out of attending another basic class than attending an intermediate class ill prepared.
I'm not sure there is a "right way". I could suggest a formula but much depends on the individual and his / her ability to absorb material, take those skill sets home and then practice them until a degree of consistency is achieved (ETA before moving on to advanced classes). I've been attending formal training courses since 1996 and I attend just about EVERY basic class that comes to Pittsburgh when I'm not actually assisting. I've travelled to Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia for training and will continue to do so as opportunities present themselves. |
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Thanks very much for the reply, Tony. I hope to make the rescheduled handgun clinic this year and then really plan for next year. In 2007 I would like to take the FIRE basic carbine course again and I would also like to take a basic carbine course from another school. If I can squeeze it in I'd also like to take Giles' basic pistol course. I have been poking around and found this: May 21 - 22 Fighting Rifle Hollidaysburg, PA Tactical Response Fighting Rifle Any experience with this organization? Oh, just because I addressed the subject line to Pete and Tony doesn't mean they are the only fellas I'm looking for opinions from - anybody who has any advice for me please give it. I'm asking for it! Thanks again. |
That is James Yeager's outfit. I can't comment as I have no personal experience with them but he has quite a dedicated following on many gun message boards. Allot of people seem very satisfied with the training TR offers. |