AAR: Vickers Tactical Basic Carbine, March 6, Carthage, NC
I’ll start by saying that this was my first formal training class. I absolutely loved every minute of it! Thanks to Paul, John and the other guys from Grey Group that put the class together. They are a very professional organization, and I would highly recommend seeking out training through these guys. Also, thanks to Larry Vickers for his willingness to share his knowledge, and doing it in a way that is perfectly clear.
We started @ 08:30 with a 100% forecast for rain. About the time we got our zeroing bulls stapled up, the rain started coming down. We got on paper @ 25, and then confirmed @ 50. Due to the range setup, 50 was the max we were able to achieve in this class. We all know that quality gear is a must, but I was amazed at how fast some of the rifles started choking. We seriously had rifles choking within the first 20 rdns of zeroing. This actually was beneficial, as it gave LAV an early opportunity to discuss they what’s and why’s of quality gear selection.
Once the zeroing process was completed, we ran the infamous Delta Drill. I learned that sitting and kneeling suck and I need a lot more work, particularly on kneeling. As the class continued to progress, LAV touched on magazine changes, weak side transitions, and shooting on the move; and yes, there were team drills to reinforce each skill set as it was learned. The choosing of teams was a fun process accompanied by some rather “colorful” team names. We also had the benefit of Paul and John acting as floaters for some of the drills. Those guys can shoot! At the same time, they were never above offering helpful suggestions if you were struggling to achieve the proper grip, or missing a step in a process like a mag change or transition.
We wrapped up the class around 5 with a team drill shooting on the move. It was a neat experience for me to be moving as a unit with my team, and us effectively engaging targets against time.
Lessons Learned:
Mindset:
LAV is well known for his motto, “Speed is fine, Accuracy is final” and this class was no exception to proliferating that mindset. Especially during the timed drills, you’d see guys shooting totally off the target @ only 7yds. LAV made the point that nobody is going to have to tell you to shoot faster in the middle of a gunfight. Your adrenaline will take over and you will be going as fast as possible. However, if you train yourself to focus on making good hits, the speed will come.
A further takeaway for me personally regarding accuracy is that it’s not just about shooting small groups, but about where the group is. If I can shoot a quarter inch ten-round group in 5 seconds, but it goes over the target’s head, or between his legs, what good is it? This is where understanding your zero, and the trajectory of your rifle, ammo, sight, zero combination is invaluable. I’ve heard other trainers dismiss poor shot placement as long as the group was good. However, the key I took away from LAV is that you’re accountable for every round you send downrange, and you better know where and what it’s going to hit.
Gear:
This has been discussed over and over, but seriously, don’t buy cheap shit! In addition to that, just because a reputable company makes it, doesn’t mean it’s good or that you need it. I also learned that although a certain piece of gear may be good under certain conditions, it may suck under others. I was running a PRI Gasbuster charging handle. I learned that that “extended and enhanced” latch is super-slippery when it’s raining. It took me a few tries almost every time I tried to clear my rifle, because my hand kept slipping off the stupid thing. I’m going to take a hard look at a Gunfighter now. I also learned that quality raingear is invaluable. I was able to find and awesome pair of rain pants @ REI in Charlotte on the way up on sale for $65 instead of $100. I borrowed an REI jacket from my buddy and stayed dry and comfy all day (except for the nice burns on my neck/chin from when a piece of hot brass flew into my hood from the shooter next to me)
Auto Glass:
Seriously, a Subaru Forrester has some tough windows. My buddy and I rolled up all ready to go first thing in the morning. We both get out of the car and he tries to open the back and we discover that somehow the doors are all locked and the keys are inside…F%$K! Our new friend Tom let us borrow a cell phone and we called the Sherriff who would not come out and unlock the car unless there was a child inside. We got the number for two different locksmiths who were only open M-F…WTF? Because we all only need a locksmith during convenient hours. Finally we decided to break the glass. I took a firm grip on my Benchmade and slammed it into the window…nothing. 5 or 6 more tries @ full force (I’m not a small guy) with no results. We borrowed a baton from John and it still took my buddy 4 good baseball bat style hits to shatter the window. Luckily, we had some high-quality plastic bags from the Grey Group pro shop that we were able to Duct Tape over the window for our 5 hr drive back to ATL. The car didn’t even get wet with it raining all day. Seriously, those bags were like 20 mil poly!
I’m sure the other guys will come in and add their own comments and experiences, but here’s a start. Now I’ve just got to start saving for more ammo and another class tuition. I think training may be more addictive (and effective) and buying guns!
--ASH
