Posted: 7/14/2008 3:15:32 PM EDT
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Just completed the Magpul Dynamics 2-Days Basic Handgun training course and I can tell you that it was anything but "basic" www.magpuldynamics.com/ The class was held at the Waikiki Gun Club which was closed for the weekend for our class. We started with a classroom session on which the concepts of fundamentals, proper mindset and safety were discussed... then moved into the range. All the drills kept building upon the previous ones.. from gear positioning and selection, to the proper draw and presentation, mag change types and timing, and gear malfunctions. We learned teamwork, peripheral awareness of the other shooters on the line, maneuvering and shooting on the move both individually and as a team. What started as basic "on the line" drills ended on the second day, using everything we had learned, to individual and team live fire scenarios with multiple target selections, barricades with moving targets and low/no light scenarios. Other than my concealed carry class and basic military pistol training, I had not attended any pistol training before and I can honestly say I couldn't have imagined a better course. I've had a conceal carry permit for over 7 years and now when I look back on what I didn't know, I strongly feel that anyone who is going to accept the responsibility of carrying not only attend a course like this, but also keep up their practice regimen of these drills to keep your skills and mindset "fresh" Without being insulting I would highly recommend that active duty and LEO attend a class like this if at all possible just to add to their training experience as I cannot imagine that this level of instruction would not be of immense benefit to them as well. I'm now planning on attending the Precision Rifle, Advanced Carbine and Advanced Pistol courses coming up in Arizona in September. Maybe the tactical shotgun class if I can get in. I can unreservedly recommend Magpul Dynamics and our instructor Travis Haley, to anyone who shoots, whether it be for service or duty, hunting or competition, these guys really have their act together and my whole family is safer as result of the training our class received. Carter Berlin Honolulu, Hawaii July 14th, 2008 |
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pics and video were taken during the class.. I'll post a link when someone gets them up.. I was focused on just absorbing.. I wish it could have been a four or five day class. I'm really looking forward to the advanced handgun class but I need some work on my fundamentals first. Some of the primary gear points were.. retention (obviously), training with the gear that would be used in whatever your application is, "owning" you equipment, ie really having control and knowing your weapon system inside and out, having purpose specific gear, like not having adjustable target sights on a carry or defense gun that you may have to rack against the rear sights one handed or if its gets dropped you without the rear sights falling off... Also learned that gear selection for carry, defense and competition have a LOT in common.. Im not talking about open class guns with rails and optics and muzzle breaks but rather the fundamentals of the draw, presentation and mind set are almost exactly the same... the balance of speed and effectiveness. mostly just having gear you have full control of, is reliable, and works for you appropriate to the use you are putting it.. Some of the drills were instinctive fire (proper draw, presentation, fire, search and asses, holster) at different ranges.. speed and tactical reloads, safe maneuver and close while firing, withdraw while firing, offset shooting.. I'd say the most important message of the training was that your speed and accuracy have to have a balance, ie train to go as fast as you can while still getting your hits and maintaing effective use of your weapon.. I learned (after getting corrected like 30 times by Travis) to keep effective control of my weapon during low ready instead of raising the muzzle.. gotta keep working on that.. bad habits once ingrained suck... I learned I can move a LOT faster than I can shoot effectively.. I need to slow down just enough to make my hits count... going any faster is not effective and is in fact dangerous.. as I learned to my dismay during hostage targets.. when I slowed down to get my hits I did fine. Now I just have to train and practice going just fast enough to get my hits, and then slowly speed everything up... |