The class was held in Slidell, LA at the Slidell PD range. This was a 50 yard range where we used IPSC tagets or a bullseye target. The class was taught by Greg Lapin (lead instructor with tons of real world experience) and a Slidell Police Officer who also works for VATA. These guys were both very knowledgeable and great instructors.
There were 12 people in the class, mostly law enforcement but there were 3 stunt actors who were there to learn more about the proper way to handle firearms. I also bitch about the shitty firearms handling in movies, so this was good to see. They had very little firearms experience prior to this. There were a couple other civilians who were from nearby that attended and it appeared this wasn’t their first class. Also in the class was Iain Harrison the editor of Recoil magazine and winner of the first Top Shot. This guy was awesome and a super nice guy. I have never seen anyone in real life shoot like Iain and Greg. We didn’t know Iain was from Top Shot until some guys figured it out after lunch. He did not say anything about his prior accomplishments (many much more impressive than Top Shot) or ability.
The first day was an intro class. We started in the class room going over why to have a gun, reviewing shooting (mostly law enforcement), weapons safety and the usual stuff. We discussed the proper way to hold a pistol, draw, stance and the fundamentals of shooting. Greg was teaching to move the strong hand towards the thumb slightly and have the middle digits of your strong hand over the front of the pistol grip (sorry if this is confusing). Basically you are making sure the pistol lines up with the wrist and forearm. He went over using the slide release instead of coming over the top on reloads. He teaches to do whichever one you feel comfortable with. Something I had never heard of before was frame drag. This is when your trigger finger pushed on the side of the Glock slightly causing you to shoot to the left. You fixed this by using the bottom of the trigger. Another thing which I had recently learned was having my support thumb straight basically pointing at the target. This locks your wrist and helps control recoil. I made a list of other things I learned but I don’t have it with me.
We went to the range after class and again went over safety. We went to the 7 yard line, started from the ready position and shot a spray painted dot probably 2 inches. The instructor came by and assisted each person. I was shooting worse than usual and to the left. Greg reminded me of frame drag and had me move my trigger finger a little lower and not so deep in the trigger well. this helped some but I still wasn’t shooting very well. Next we started drawing from the holster. We worked on having a smooth efficient draw. I have been working on that which I previously discussed in another thread.
This deserves its on line and was the most important thing I learned. So Greg was talking about how tight to hold the pistol. He went to each person and had them grab his wrist like you were grabbing the pistol and told you how mush pressure you should be putting with each hand. He then grabbed the students wrist and showed how tight he held it. He squeezes the shit out of it. He said about as tight as your can without shaking. This was probably the most helpful thing I have learned in years. Actually having him grab my wrist and show me was probably the best way to convey that.
We started working on shooting faster and cadences. I think it was the bill drill (10 shots trying to keep it in the A zone). After I started gripping the pistol much tighter there was no more shooting to the left. I can’t explain how much that helped me. My shooting improved dramatically. I’m sure this was before the rapid fire but we worked on reloads also. As mentioned earlier we could choose between the slide release and the overhand method. We practiced each a few times. Malfunctions were also hit on at some point during this time. Most of it was the typical malfunction drills and fixes. There was a way to clear a double feed that I think was called the rack method. When you get a double feed you simple press the mag release and start working the slide. He said he was very skeptical of this at first but tried on as many guns as he could and it was very reliable and fast. I think Iain will be using that in an article for Recoil magazine.
Greg discussed continuing training, not only from VATA but any credible instructor. He said to be skeptical and find qualified instructors. I overheard Greg talking to Iain about guys (mainly SWAT guys) not wanting to take an intro class. That was probably the most helpful class I have ever been to for firearms. I don’t care who you are, there is always something to learn and to improve on. That one day was better than the instructor classes i have been to. I am now able to help people much more than I previously could.
I’m sure I’m leaving stuff out but that is what I have for first day. First day was about 250 rounds
Day 2 was Combat Handgun I
We had a different Slidell Officer instructing.
(this is going to be short because I’m at work)
We started with fundamentals with a bullseye at the 15. Everyone shot pretty good especially Iain. This might have been on the first day but I don’t remember. We shot failure drills (2 body 1 head). He was stating you don’t have to stop the firing to move to the head . Just continue shooting up the body all the way to the head. If you shoot the guy in the throat on the way to head then your good to go. We also did this from the torso up if someone is wearing body armor.
Transitioning from target to target without breaking cadence. This was new but you can drive the gun a lot faster than you think you can when you force yourself to.
We did moving towards the target and shooting then moving horizontally and shooting. Watching Iain move and shoot was impressive. That guy was flying through there and then he was told to do it making head shots. He then did it making all head shots.
We shot from kneeling and prone this nothing too new about either of these but good practice.
The final thing we did was shoot the bullseye at the 15 again. Greg said it pays to be a winner so you knew there was a prize associated with it. It was 10 rounds in at the 15 with total score of 100. I shot an 86. Luckily for me the guys that shot above me the first time blew it, they shot terrible. I even beat Iain who shot a perfect circle around the 5 ring. I ended up with 2 shirts, hat, patch and challenge coin. There’s no second place in a gunfight. I told Iain thanks for throwing the bullseye shoot but i would tell everyone that I beat him. He of course laughed.
There was much more to this day but I have to get through this.
Everyone got a lot of these 2 classes. The 3 stunt people improved dramatically and were all taking it very seriously. The instructors were well beyond what I expected. These guys are high level guys and I would recommend them for anyone. VATA is increasing their classes and offering force on force.
All handguns were Glocks or M&Ps. I was the only one with a .40 cal. A few guys had 45’s but they were switching to Glock 34’s soon, everyone else had 9mm’s. Iain had a competition M&P with a Jpoint and Greg had a G17 with a RMR, these were new guns to both of these guys. Everyone else had iron sights. Everyone had open top mag holders, which is probably very common except were I work. Greg’s RMR shut off during the middle of the second day while he was demonstrating. It later came back on, but I don’t know what the deal with it was. I will try and find out.