:: Bersa Talk ::

Has anyone taken formal training?  I have taken one combat class at the local shooting club.  Pretty basic stuff.  I really want to go up to Blackwater, but funds are tight.  Let me hear about your training experiences good and bad. http://www.blackwaterusa.com/courses/AT_NC_courses.html

BLACKWATER NORTH CAROLINA

Tactical Pistol I

(Five Days)

Prerequisite: None

Class Size: 14

This course is designed to develop skills for the student who uses his weapon as a primary firearm in a tactical environment. The course will start with developing fundamental shooting skills. You will soon advance to skills that will reduce your reaction time, allow you to shoot faster with higher degree of accuracy, and increase your confidence with your handgun. The emphasis is on developing tactical and shooting skills that can be applied in real-life situations. This course provides training in the following areas:

• Safety and handling

• Conditions of readiness

• Gear placement

• Fundamentals of shooting

• Proper ready positions

• Recoil management

• Drawing and firing techniques

• Reloads and Malfunctions

• Multiple targets

• Firing positions and barricades

• Shooting moving targets

• Shooting on the move

• Shooting positions

• Strong hand only shooting

• Support hand only shooting

• Low light shooting techniques

Ammunition Requirements: 2,500 rounds of pistol ammunition

Gear List: Pistol, holster, three magazines, magazine holder, belt, flashlight, flashlight holder, clear wrap-around eye protection, ear protection, weapons cleaning kit, rain gear, clothing appropriate for climate and conditions and a water bottle or other hydration system.

Course Cost: $995.00 includes lunch each training day. Bunkhouse lodging is available at the North Carolina campus and may be reserved through your Sales Coordinator. Most items on the gear list may be rented via the application at additional cost or purchased at the Blackwater Pro Shop.

"student who uses his weapon as a primary firearm in a tactical environment. "

And what tactial (I hate that word) environment  do you CC in.

What weapon will you use for the course what will be your back up in case 1st one breaks  Do you have gear for 2nd pistol.

How a bout gear don't think a UBG IWB is tactial enough.

Look for course geared towards  your life style. Not carry in Iraq . 

 Every knows Black Water because of Iraq  Doesn't mean best school.

Like I said look around.

 You can learn a lot of this by shooting in matches and some NRA courses .

None of this is rocket sicence or  a  Ninja secret .

Think about this untrained people. men ,women , young ,old , good health and bad health  defend thenselves every day in this country  with a hand gun. . Wonder how they do it with out attending  Bubba's  cake bakeing  and gunfighting school  . Its called the will to resist and survive . With out that  all the training in world won't help.

 

"The subject of personal defense is far more psychological than technical. As soon as you decide and insist that you will not be victimized, you have done more than any weapon can to provide for your safety."
Jeff Cooper

"I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times."
Bruce Lee

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Bersa Thunder,
PPK/S,
1990 Colt Mustang,
380 Kel Tec
380's Rule

"Just say "Lay A Way"

"WWJBD" What Would James Bond Do?

"Hokey religions and plastic glocks are no match for a good 1911 at your side, kid."

Tactical has been used as a buzz word way too much.  The only difference in carrying in Iraq and Atlanta is you have your weapons concealed in Atlanta.  The dangers are the same.  Once the guns are out every situation is warfare.  If you have never practiced moving and shooting at moving targets, it is an eye opening experience.  You can easily miss at 6 FEET.

No one must get training to defend their life.  I would just rather have more training.  The sports addage that "you play like you practice" is true.  Remember it is OK to cheat when your life is on the line.   Have your gun drawn behind your back if a situation seems imminent.  I just watched video of a retired guy that was working at a hotel check-in desk get gunned down.  Two BG walked in wearing clothes that were too warm for the weather.  One drew from under a jacket, took 2 steps to the counter and killed the retired guy.  One other woman at the counter is still in critical condition.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS is the only thing that could have saved this man.

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?s=8318973

Jes:

I applaud you for seeking further training.  All too often, people think they know everything and don't need training, or that having a gun and putting it in the nightstand somehow makes them an expert marksman and tactician; but if you'll pardon my candor, you don't know what you don't know, and training is often times an eye opener (especially when you get into advanced force-on-force type training, where your weaknesses are exposed real quick).

There are three components to being prepared for an armed encounter... equipment, training, and mindset.  Equipment is the easy part.  You don't need all the "cool" high-speed low-drag gizmos out there.  Most any firearm from a reputable manufacturer will do fine these days; you just have to make sure that you clean & maintain it properly.  Mindset is all about you, and nobody can force you to be a determined adversary or be aware of your surrounding environment, but top-notch instructors can give you tools to help, such as Col. Cooper's color code of mental awareness.  Training is something you have to actively seek out and make an effort to obtain; it doesn't happen by osmosis or watching Dallas SWAT on the idiot tube.  Further, most formal training, at least in the introductory courses, also give you additional information beyond weapon handling and tactics, such as criminal & civil liability, or what to expect after the fight when the police show up and how to handle yourself.  If you're lacking in any of the three components--equipment, training, or mindset--then you're not as prepared as you could be.

I'll PM you with more; but again, kudos to you for beginning your quest.

John

Jes- see if you can access the USMC FM on MOUT. While I agree that most of the civilian CCWs will not be engaging a large and/or fortified position, vehicle and other quick reaction drills are useful. Having a tactical PLAN is much more likely to serve the average civi than a plate vest full of MOLLE goodies. Knowing how to employ both is a skill set that does not come easily or without lotsa range time and training.  TJ

I didn't say you didn't need training I saying you need to look at more civ. CC type than Blackwater type. Thats the type training my son uses to make a living today. His was paid for by us and taught by Uncle Sam. special schools   .Then OJT in Iraq  .   He leaving for Kovoso in a week  new contract .  Lucky guy. Me I stuck here with people that wear tin foil and hear voices . Some are even agents for the dark side.

 I have said here many times  standing at the range in a booth and shooting isn't real training. If you are losing in a fight. You aren't cheating enough.

 

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Bersa Thunder,
PPK/S,
1990 Colt Mustang,
380 Kel Tec
380's Rule

"Just say "Lay A Way"

"WWJBD" What Would James Bond Do?

"Hokey religions and plastic glocks are no match for a good 1911 at your side, kid."

2500 ROUNDS!!!  That's alot of money itself on top of the $995, but I am saving up for GunSite, have alredy been in contact and feel they are my best option for their Tacticle Rifle and Shotgun course.

 

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Free Men Do Not Ask Permission To Bear Arms

Haven't looked into any of those, but am seriously considering some additional training at TDI in Ohio. They offer a pretty wide range of courses, and seem to have a pretty solid reputation.   www.tdiohio.com