Posted: 6/12/2010 9:50:47 AM EDT
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I originally posted this in the Training section, but thought maybe it was more appropriate here. The low light workshop that Chris put on was great, I only wish we had had more time, because there's a lot more to low/no light situations than most people probably think about...
Had the chance to attend Chris's class last night for low light carbine operator. This was designed as a 4 hour, half-day workshop. I think we had 8 students, and it was a good group. I think all of us had worked with Chris before in some way, shape or form. Started the evening off with a short re-introduction to range, and the safety and medivac plans. Then it was right in to about an hour of lecture and demonstration, discussing the intricacies of fighting in low or no light, such as equipment selection and placement, movement, transition work, etc. Then it was off to the range. Because we were on an indoor range for night firing, everyone had to have either a .22 or pistol caliber carbine. People had a variety of weapons, from dedicated 22 ARs, to a Kel Tec carbine, to AR's with drop in 22 bolt conversions, to one with a GSG-9 (?), a 22 carbine made to resemble a HK MP5. Most functioned well, although one 22 bolt conversion went down, and having to use NY ban compliant 10 round magazines meant a lot of extra reloading in the dark practice for some. People also had a variety of weapon mounted lights, from push button end caps, to tape switch activated, to vertical foregrip integral lights. We started off with some simple low light drills, ie using light to identify the target, light off and move, light up the target and shoot, light off and move again. From there we kept building up on skills, progressing to no ambient light, including shooting and moving, searching, target identification, etc. We ended the night in no light walking figure 8s in darkness, then on command doing a facing drill, moving and searching for designated targets, and engaging anywhere from 0-4 targets at a time. Sadly, our time was up before we knew it. I think everyone agreed there would be a lot of benefit to making low light shooting a full day class on the indoor range. Some of the common mistakes seen were people accidentally activating their lights and giving away their position while walking/moving, sweeping across targets with their light activated instead of using momentary on/off, or activating their lights too soon while trying to come up on target. I would definitely recommend the class, as this was the first time I'd ever done any training in low/no light, and I suspect that many of us are in the same boat. In fact, if Chris does make arrangements to make this a full day class, I'd definitely repeat it, because there's a lot more to fighting in low light than many people realize or appreciate. Besides me, I think everyone else also really enjoyed the class, and it was a lot of fun. MDTS Training |
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Chris continues to offer some of the finest hand-on training to be had anywhere, but keep this in mind:
What you're learned in the classroom is NOT the end of the training! You must continue to practice what you've learned, and once you've mastered that, you WILL want to return for higher levels. 
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Thanks TravelMedic for the AAR. This class was a lot of fun to run for me wacthing how guys who I know can run the carbine in regular lighting have to slow down and solve problems in low/no light. Gear is a huge issue! Everyone else did really well during the culmination drill at the end and had a decent understanding of their own errors and how hard it is to operate the light, the carbine and utilize good tactics all at once. Once again, tactical multi-tasking.
One of our regulars who is a member here and whom I hope will see this and add more info (like how long he has had this kit and how many rounds he has put through it) had his Ciener .22 conversion kit go down on him very early in the class. Firing pin actuall sheared off at rear, see pics below. The last pic shows how he could put that piece back in and push on it and still cause the pin to work but it would only be a one shot deal. I did not have time to question him about details on his kit like how long he's had it etc. Being a prepared guy, he had a pistol caliber carbine "Backup" in his car! 
Other than this and other gear issues guys had like with negligent lighting and placement of the lights in the carbines everyone did very well. We did not get a chance to cover barricades and some other material I wanted to cover but maybe that is better left for an actual 8 hr low light carbine class. I was hoping someone would have one of the drop in Spike's conversion kits so I could see how they hold up/perform but nobody did, I may have to pick one up to test out if we are going to continue these low light events indoors. I cannot over emphasize how useful these .22 conversions are for maintaining skills year round at a fraction of the cosy of .223 ammo and for oppprtunites like these. BTW, Thrasher and Tacticool both stayed late with me and we attempted to shoot some video of some of the drills. I have to review it and see if we got anything worthwhile, if I did I will attempt to post some of it. Thanks to everyone who took time on a Friday night to come shoot! Chris |
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Last fall, my ceiner kit suffered a broken firing pin after MANY 1,000s of rounds fired, much like the one pictured. It was an easy repair and the kit is back up and running.
While I like my kit in my SP1 carbine (very accurate in the 1/12 barrel), I like my S&W M&P15-22 better. The magazine features and rails really shine on this rifle for use as a training aid. I figured that this type of class would be a great fit at Oneida. I see it filling quickly when you offer it again. EDIT: Prambo has a Spikes kit.Sadly, it has been problematic for him. |