Course description: http://www.insightstraining.com/view_course.asp?courseID=146
GDH is for shooters who know their way around a pistol but want training before they carry. It firms up basic skills and prepares shooters to train on their own or move into more advanced training. I took it because I want to train more with InSights, and GDH is the prerequisite for the courses I want to take.
Most of the 16 students had been shooting less than two years. Guns included 2-3 SIGs, an M&P 9, an HK P2000, an XD, and a Beretta 96 that got swapped for a short 1911 in 45 ACP on Day Two. Everyone else shot a Glock. Aside from three 40s and the 1911, everyone shot a 9mm. I saw no major mechanical issues.
The InSights instructors were Tracy and Derrick. They knew the course material cold, and more important, they understand where it fits in the evolution of defensive pistol shooting. They understand techniques they don’t teach, so when students asked about that stuff, they clearly and thoughtfully explained what they think is a better way. There was enough humor to keep things moving, but the class never devolved into the Instructor Stand-Up Comedy Hour. It was abundantly clear that both instructors knew far more than just what it takes to get through GDH.
Day One mixed range and classroom sessions in one-hour blocks. We fired 150 rounds warming up, letting the instructors check everyone’s skill and safety levels, and generally getting a bunch of new-ish folks ready to train hard the next day.
Day Two began and ended on the range. The material was basic, so I won’t go into it. It’s more important that the instructors constantly layered skills on top of each other and emphasized the connection between each exercise and previous ones.
The overall tone was relaxed yet businesslike. There was NO wasted time anywhere, and training ran the full ten hours on both days, so the pace demanded serious focus. Range time moved smoothly from explanation to demonstration to live fire. Students shot each drill 1-2 times, then we moved on. At no time did we have to go back and pick up slackers—a credit to the quality of both students and instructors.
The students improved markedly. Most slow-fire groups in the first range session were typical of what you see on an indoor range with untrained shooters—utterly unimpressive. By 1800 on Day Two, almost everyone was hitting very well on fast exercises from the holster that included slide-lock reloads and TRB.
If you’re looking for solid training in the Puget Sound area, InSights Training Center is an excellent resource. And if training ever becomes mandatory for concealed carry, it should look a lot like GDH.
Please let me know if you have questions.
Okie John