Course: Lighthorse Tactical’s GUNS-3
Instructors: Curtis and Chuck
Class Composition: LE only class
Round Count: ~300 carbine ~200 pistol
BLUF: Highly recommended. Great training. It is a more advanced class so be sure you have a good grasp on the fundamentals of marksmanship and safe gun handling.
The class began with the regular boring stuff. Registration, introductions and a safety brief. The PD range is in residential area and live fire before 0900 is verboten. So instead wasting that time Curtis reacquainted us with the fundamentals of drawing our pistol. We worked on that for a few minutes. We then transitioned to dry firing, focusing on getting the sights on target quickly, a smooth trigger press and a good follow up sight picture. Emphasis was also placed on communicating with and checking on your partner and surroundings before re-holstering.
At 0900 sharp, we were given the command to go hot. Curtis called the first drill we ran “First Strike”. On the threat command, we drew our handgun, fired one shot, and then re-holstered. We did this a few times then shot timer was pulled out. The goal was to draw and fire before the timer beeped again. We ran this drill a few times as a group. We worked a few more pistol drills on the timer both as a group and individually. I was personally surprised with the speed I was able to get accurate hits on target.
Still working with pistols, we moved on to the “Cadence Drill”. Curtis said he got this from a class he took with someone…can’t remember who specifically but if you google cadence drill or circle drill you get a couple of the more well known names in the shooting community. This is where my deficiencies really showed up. As we sped up my groups went to hell.
We then worked on some magazine swaps, also known as tactical reloads, and reloads from slide lock. Once again, the timer came out. This added stress caused me to fumble my reloads a little. I carry my pistol magazines in the same spot at all times. My agency is non-uniform so on duty and off I am able to have my mag(s) slightly forward of the 9’oclock position. With my battle belt on my spare M4 mag is there. Once the timer was introduced, I ended up pulling my M4 mag instead off my pistol mag. One of the techniques Chuck introduced, at least was new to me, was to bring the reloading hand to the centre and then work from there. So instead of going straight to my favourite spot to get a mag pull my hand into the center of my body and sweep toward the outside of my body. I’m finding it a bit hard to describe, in writing. We also worked some malfunction drills.
The rifles came out next. We shot a few rounds to get the cobwebs out and get reacquainted, well at least for me, with the mechanical offset on our optics. I had just zeroed my Aimpoint two days prior, more on that later, so remembering the offset took a little getting used to. It has been a few days since this class so my recollection of the rest of the day is a little fuzzy. Chuck had us work the same magazine swap and reload drill with our rifles, while working some target discrimination drills.
Of course, this would not be a Lighthorse class if we did not work rifle malfunctions. First Curtis and Chuck where kind and forced the malfunctions while we stood on the line. Range was cold and we walked through the steps. Then those sadists brought out the dreaded PAW. I had the opportunity to watch them render perfectly working guns, both rifle and pistol, temporarily inoperable. The smirks they had on their faces were just sickening!
On a serious note, that PAW stick is amazing. It forces real malfunctions none of that notional junk. After the introduction to the PAW on the line Chuck and Curtis had us run a few drills on the move. Emphasis was placed on communicating with our partners letting them know when we were reloading or clearing a malfunction.
We started the movement drills in earnest after lunch. By this time, we were hot and after running a few mags through my rifle, I was feeling it. My lower back was tight, my arms tired and the muscles up by my neck (never did memorise all the muscles, probably why I failed bio lab) were screaming. I soon found out that the others in the class where also feeling it. This added to the stress of clearing the malfunctions. While you cleared your malfunction, your buddy had to cover your target as well as his. This meant keeping their weapon, either primary or secondary, in a ready position. It also meant that the drill could not move on. So, at least in my mind, I had to hurry up and get back in the fight so the drill could progress and we could rest.
The day ended around 1500 HRS. It was a good thing it did, as we were all exhausted. The guys wore full kit for most of the morning, I forgot my body armour, and the heat had beat me up pretty good.
In all it was a good first experience and I am already looking forward to the next Lighthorse Class.
Curtis is a great guy. I have been trying to take one of his classes for about a year but my schedule never matched up with his. I registered for this class and then started reading AARs. They made me a little nervous, as I did not feel my marksmanship was up to par. I was even a little worried about my manipulation skills. I contacted Curtis about my perceived limitations and he agreed to work with me the weekend before the class. He did this on his own time and did not charge me.
I have never zeroed. Ever. During Basic, I think my DS just said I was zeroed so we could get off the zero range. Trying on my own I’d get close but I would not be zeroed. I told Curtis this. He had me zeroed within a few minutes. He said he used a method he learned from Frank Proctor. I mention this to point out that not only is he a cool guy that has done some cool guy stuff but he is also a great instructor.
This class was my first time meeting Chuck, and although I did not spend as much time one on one with him, he also proved to be a competent instructor. I was by far the least trained but he was able to present the instructions and information in a manner that I easily followed while not boring the other guys.
As I said above, I had a blast. Sorry for the long post, but there is some good affordable training available in the Birmingham area. I wanted to be as thorough as possible and I still left things out. Not only did I learn a lot of new things that I can try out on the range on my own, I am also a LOT more confident in my skills. No, I am nowhere near Navy Green Beret Raider PJ status, but I am sure that if I have to use either my rifle or handgun I will be able to take care of business. I am now planning to check out Frank Proctor up in Eastaboga come September.
Thanks for reading.