Posted: 9/7/2008 5:10:40 PM EDT
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Handgun: Use of Cover Mini-class Michigan Defensive Firearms Institute Who Lead Instructor: Steve Fisher Assistant Instructor/Medic: Andy Students: Everyday slice of life, with the exception that everybody, I believe, had previous training beyond the CPL required training. There were nine students. They were a well mannered, polite group. Everyone seemed focused on the training. When September 07, 2008 1200 - ~1630 Where Centerline of Calhoun County What This class focused on the utilization of cover while using a handgun for defense. It started out with a discussion of firearms safety and the expectations for the students relative to safe gun handling. Steve then launched into a short lecture introducing the basics of using cover while upright, focusing on handguns as the primary weapon. He discussed the difference between cover and concealment, and talked quite a bit about the pitfalls of trying to use regular automobiles as cover. He introduced basic techniques. After demonstrating himself, the class began running drills in two relays. The drills started out very slow, giving us a chance to develop some fundament use of cover techniques before he began to push us harder. He also touched on the absolute basics of handgun use when he saw that a student could benefit from the instruction, even if just to remind the student of something he/she already knew but was not doing. This was just an introduction to use of cover though. I am sure if enough people displayed interest, Steve could put together a full day or multi-day class focusing on use of cover.  Why Because you would be a fool to stand out in the open like some stereotypical “old west” gunslinger and trade lead w/ someone trying to kill you or the people you were with. IMO proper use of cover is frequently overlooked by those who own a perceived magic amulet that is a firearm. I pestered Steve about a use of cover class for a while. It seems others must have also, because he offered it. As an aside, I think low light techniques are another critical area people overlook when owning firearms for an intended purpose of self defense. That is on my to-do list. Gear Used I saw Glocks, S&W M&P’s and another model, a 1911, an H&K USP45c, and more. Carry method varied from concealed IWB to fanny pack carry. Manufacturers represented included Raven and Milt Sparks to name a couple. Rounds Fired The average was probably 2xx, but counts probably varied from low 1xx to high 3xx. My round count was only 134. I train as if I will only have 17rds of primary weapon ammo with me and pursue “ammo use efficiency”. Other Notes The weather was great. I think the temperature was in the high 60’s. There was no precipitation and the sky was partly cloudy. A slight breeze was nice. It became apparent as the class progressed I had once again fallen into a destructive quest for speed. I was sacrificing accuracy and proper technique. At that point, I slowed myself considerably and began to think through everything I was doing. This is a longstanding problem for me. I was in this class to learn how to do this stuff correctly. I trained much more effectively after slowing myself. An example was a drill where we ran to cover, away from the threats (targets), and then engaged the threat(s) from behind cover. At first, though running the drill safely, I probably looked like a Tasmanian devil. The Looney Tunes character Taz comes to mind. This was stupid. Steve had taught us how to engage rear targets through a pivot-and-draw in previous classes. This was exactly the same thing except that you utilized cover and ran to the position where you would perform the pivot-and-draw as opposed to being there from the beginning. Once I began focusing on doing it as Steve taught, my shot efficiency actually increased; though my resemblance to that fan favorite character Taz probably decreased.  I think this is the eighth class I have taken from Steve. I am very glad Steve decided to teach this class. This was new material for me. I am only minimally more competent in defensive handgun use than I was before taking the class. Steve provided me with the information I need to move beyond that, though. It is up to me to take what he taught and practice until I cannot get it wrong. Thanks Steve. |