As I posted a couple weeks ago, I signed up for CCWI's Basic Handgun I class to review what I "thought" I knew about handgun usage and handling and to be humbled about what I didn't.
I took the Basic Handgun I class(
Self Defense Firearms Training - Be Safe, Be Confident, Get Trained!) on Sunday 5/4 and wanted to share my thoughts.
These are my own observations and opinions. Cavet emptor.
It's lenghty, but I hope, offers "newbies" some info to the experience, should they be curious.
My goals:
- Review my basic knowledge and handling as a prerequisite for the Intermediate and Advanced classes.
- Get up-to-date with General CA handgun laws
- Train on a new platform (1911 SA) after 20+ years of using 9mm DA (Sig, Glock)
The Day:
Sunday bloomed overcast. I was a little apprehensive about the time to drive from Coastal OC to Burro Canyon. No worries. There is little or no traffic from here to Azusa @ 7-8 am Sunday mourings. I made the trip to the range in about 55 minutes and that's with a gas stop!
The Sun broke as I entered the drive up the San Gabriel Canyon. The drive up the San Gabriel Canyon is really pretty that time of the morning and having never been up there, the view of the mountains, reservoir and dam are worth it just for the drive alone. Similar to Ortega Hwy. in OC.
The Range:
I arrived prior to the suggested 8:15am check-in time at the range office. I was intent to check-in at the office promptly and followed the signs to the office. What I missed was the big sign further up the hill saying
Self Defense Firearms Training - Be Safe, Be Confident, Get Trained!, where CCWI's classes check in separately. So much for the observational skills portion of the class.
The Range is pretty large, having distinct areas for public handgun, rifle and trap shooting. In addition, there are several private range areas being used by individual parties, LEO's, etc. CCWI's training takes place at one of these. Today, we are using range 3A. A long, wide range flanked by berms on three sides and a beautiful, high ridge as a backdrop.
Since all the ranges are being used by various needs, the bangs throughout the day range from pings to booms, slow cadence to fast-as-possible. The natural reaction to flinch goes way quickly!
The Class:
The class is held in a roomy structure next to our assigned range. I meet CCWI, who contrary to legend, was not waving a pitchfork nor did he have horns. We conclude the financial portion of our agreement and a part of me is relieved to not owe him money any longer!
The lovely Female Instructor is there and adds a softer side to the arrangement. I have to remind myself she has forgot more about shooting knowledge than I will possess...and she is armed.
The classroom is filled....all demographics are represented. Apparently Handgun knowledge and safety knows no boundaries. Gender either. There are 6 women in class. Several alumni are present, anxious to do it all over again. I am the only one who brought his own ammo. All others have a large coffee can at their feet filled with ammo for the day.
CCWI comes in, introduces himself and begins with his long list of credentials. There is no doubt, we are being trained by the real deal.
We start with a primer (no pun intended) of handgun basics. What they are, how they work, what they will do, what we will learn and things we will do. There is little fluff of knowledge here. It is the stuff people need to know and what they have come for. The instruction is kept lively with CCWI's stories and humor. Serious info, but not too serious as to not be fun.
The Shooting:
As we concluded our first portion of the classroom instruction, we moved to the range. It's a bright and beautiful day. We are introduced to the other RO's, also members of this forum. Gun mats are laid out across the stations in front of standard silhouette's. Eye and ear protection, ditto. The silhouette's are further marked with red and green dots at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. Most folks are opting to use the classroom supplies weapons, over half are using revolvers. The rest 9mm. Only three of us are using our own handguns.
Range safety and handling are explained and then explained again, then once more for good measure. Shooting begins at the 3 yard distance with basic sight alignment and target acquisition. The RO's are attentive and watchful, keeping each student aware of his weapons direction and handling. Stance and shooting position is corrected.
Each shooting round is 6 rounds, regardless of platform, keeping everyone on the same rhythm. CCWI's load, ready and fire commands are clear and enhanced by a portable sound system. "Reload 6 rounds, make your weapon ready, fire one (or two or three) round at the green (or red) dot, FIRE"
This is, at first, a little like having CCWI's critical eye, right behind you the whole time, but you get used to it.
We run through the drills, slow gaining accuracy, speed, confidence. I'm using my Kimber Tac Custom II, the only .45 there. My green dot disappears quickly, I move to the number 9 on the target, then the 7. My concern about the new 1911 platform quickly dissolves, my RO (Chuck) now teases me to make perfect squares.
We move to 7 yards, repeat, then to 10 yards, repeat. Move to the red dot, repeat. I have nice squares all over the place! Can you say fun?
CCWI's cadence continues to ring out. Then the targets are reset to plain rectangles on the targets, representing the vidal organs. Double tabs and triple taps follow. Where else can you do this? My hands are getting black from powder residue. I'm falling in love with the Kimber
Sig Arms who?
Now, being a member of this board, I had read about the dreaded pause. The one where CCWI calls "Reload 6 rounds, make your weapon ready, fire two (or three) rounds at the target.....(pause... no FIRE command), so I knew it was in the play book. Forewarned IS NOT forearmed! I fell for it late in the program, as did all except one shooter. Humility ensues
.
Needless to say, perky ears from all shooters followed the rest of the day!
Shooting continued until I heard that saddest of sounds from my fellow classmates "Hey...I've only got 4 rounds left in my coffee can". We were at the end..but we finished on double-taps at three left-to-right targets. Does it get any better? (OK...so we did have to pick by brass, but who's complaining?)
My worst moment? Having a hot 9mm casing from the shooter to my left go down my shirt and hoping around while keeping my weapon pointed down range. The RO's were ready to tackle me should I veer from this position!
Lunch and Conclusion:
We took our packed lunches (PBJ and a banana) in the classroom, with CCWI going over the legal and responsiblity portions of handgun ownership. Some of the CalCCW peanut gallery dropped by (nice to meet you guys!), with the option for those wanting HSC's to test.
CCWI also talked about his forum, who we are, what we do and what we don't do and the swiftness of erasing folks who troll for GC's!
All in all a great way to spend a Sunday. My goals were all met.
- I was re-introduced to a safe, accessible training program
- I got familiar and comfortable with a new shooting platform
- Increased my continuing knowledge
- I even learned a few things I didn't know (doggie thru the window...who knew?)
Overall, I would recommend this class to your friends and family looking from a starting point and introduction to our world and hobby.
Thanks to CCWI, FI and all the others for a good day and to my fellow forum members for the opportunity to post this experience.
