Familiar with this Tactical Training School?

[Protected One]

Like many of you I am always looking to get more training in the use of handguns for civilian self-defense. Unfortunately, the most reputable schools always seem to be located at a distance that makes taking classes there regularly impractical.

Someone just informed me of a school here in Michigan that, looking at their web-site, appears to be a great option, but they have no experience with them. They have been in business since 2010, and the founder and staff are mostly former Ranger battalion.

Still, before signing up for any upcoming classes I would like to know if anyone here has experience or knowledge of them. They also have a Law Enforcement and Military training program which are of no interest to me.

They are called Ranger Firearm Instruction.

Thanks for your input guys!

 

[Whitwabit]

Looks interesting if you lived close .. the membership route would be the way to going .. maybe take one class to see the quality of instruction and if satisfactory .. you could then conceder a membership ..

appears they hold the classes at different locations ..

$200 for a 6-8 hour class if of good quality is a very good price ..

 

[Protected One]

That's what I was thinking. They're within 2 hours drive so I'm looking at their May class...but still hoping to hear from someone who has been.

 

[Rastoff]

I just checked out their site and some videos. I have not been there.

From what I've seen just now, it looks like a reasonable school. Neither the videos nor their site show enough to evaluate the actual training. For example, I don't know what they train as far as actual techniques. However, what I did see was a reasonably controlled and safe range. The facilities look clean and well set up. The prices are extremely reasonable.

Personally I think you should come out to Front Sight, but I do understand the difficulty of traveling.

 

[Protected One]

I've heard mixed reviews of Front Sight, but distance is the main impediment, otherwise I would just use
Rangemaster (Tom Givens), Real World Tactical (Tony Sentmanat), Handgun Combatives (Dave Spalding), MAG (Ayoob), or Gunsight.

 

[Whitwabit]

I've heard mixed reviews of Front Sight, but distance is the main impediment, otherwise I would just use
Rangemaster (Tom Givens), Real World Tactical (Tony Sentmanat), Handgun Combatives (Dave Spalding), MAG (Ayoob), or Gunsight.

Distance has been the main reason I haven't taken a couple of classes I would have liked to .. especially when I was still working .. a 4 day class with 3 or 4 travel days would be out of the question for most people working ..

Also Illinois is probably the worst state for any kind of weapon training with the goons we have in public office .. and the antiquated gun laws we have ..

I would like to see more companies that do training travel and hold class in different areas .. but with gun laws that might not be possible to hold out of the state they're located ..

 

[WR Moore]

Mas Ayoob and John Farnam are examples of folks who conduct classes at various locations all over the US. Their schools have class schedules. John also has training videos available on his website for a fee as well as DVDs for sale.

One issue with former military is that they have markedly different rules of engagement. They also train as part of a team. Neither may be the best choice for you-depending upon what you want to learn. They also may prove to be much younger, stronger and resilient than you and some of what they teach may not suit you.

I've been to a slew of training courses, many on my former employers dime. I've always learned something, but I've never bought anyone's total program. Do keep an open mind and give new techniques an honest try to see if it works for you.

Note: the idea to try one basic class and evaluate the training is an excellent idea. Try to pay with a credit card in case any school turns out to be Billy Joe Jim Bob's Tacticool Skewl. That'll let you dispute charges if necessary.

 

[Whitwabit]

Physical abilities on many of the classes would be restrictive to some of us .. including me with a bad back .. I have to watch how much movement is involved in classes I take ..

I don't believe in SHTF the chances of that are very slim .. Many classes are of the offensive kind .. the military mentality of strike first isn't what I would do or want to do either .. I don't ever plan on going after the bad guy .. that's for others to do .. but teaching situational awareness, moving to cover while shooting .. shooting from cover .. shooting from your back or side .. shooting multiple attackers and in what order for you best chances of survival .. when to engage and when not to .. how to protect a loved one while being robbed .. could probably think of a few more ..

I have bought some video's and some can be very good while others on the other side of the line can be worse then very bad !!

Defensively for me is exactly that defensive .. to get out with out having to engage if at all possible ..

But back to the Classes in question .. If I lived closer I would take one this Spring to see the level of expertise and if it was what I wanted more of maybe a membership ..

 

[Rastoff]

I've heard mixed reviews of Front Sight, but distance is the main impediment, otherwise I would just use
Rangemaster (Tom Givens), Real World Tactical (Tony Sentmanat), Handgun Combatives (Dave Spalding), MAG (Ayoob), or Gunsight.

Yeah, like any place, Front Sight has it's detractors. All the reviews I've seen that were negative were from the wanna be commandos. Front Sight is a serious school that teaches quality methods for gun handling.

MAG 80 and Gunsite are also a very good schools, but expensive. Front Site is much less expensive. Yes, a 4 day class would take 6 days including travel.

I have tried to schedule a MAG 80 class, but the $1,500 price tag is too high for a short class like that. I would love to spend a bunch of time at Gunsite, but it's even more expensive. That's why I said the one class seemed so reasonable. I don't know about the other classes.

 

[Protected One]

Yeah, like any place, Front Sight has it's detractors. All the reviews I've seen that were negative were from the wanna be commandos. Front Sight is a serious school that teaches quality methods for gun handling.

MAG 80 and Gunsite are also a very good schools, but expensive. Front Site is much less expensive. Yes, a 4 day class would take 6 days including travel.

I have tried to schedule a MAG 80 class, but the $1,500 price tag is too high for a short class like that. I would love to spend a bunch of time at Gunsite, but it's even more expensive. That's why I said the one class seemed so reasonable. I don't know about the other classes.

I kinda figured that about Front Sight. Still, it's too far away.
I plan to take a class at RANGER in May, and will evaluate from there.

Just found another school in Illinois, about a 6hr drive from me.
It's called The Site". Their class offerings look good and prices are very reasonable (compared to GUNSITE or MAG). It is run by a Navy SEAL who use to be the head rifle instructor at GUNSITE. Depending on how things go at RANGER, this will be the next school I visit.

 

[Protected One]

Distance has been the main reason I haven't taken a couple of classes I would have liked to .. especially when I was still working .. a 4 day class with 3 or 4 travel days would be out of the question for most people working ..

Also Illinois is probably the worst state for any kind of weapon training with the goons we have in public office .. and the antiquated gun laws we have ..

I would like to see more companies that do training travel and hold class in different areas .. but with gun laws that might not be possible to hold out of the state they're located ..

Whitwabit

Are you familiar with "The Site" in Illinois? It is run by a Navy SEAL who use to be head rifle instructor at Gunsite. I have not been there, but had it on my short list of places to try out if I couldn't find anything local.
Fortunately, I found an instructor here who when not working for the Diplomatic Protective Services runs his own training business. The next class on my schedule is "Shooting from in and around vehicles".

 

[Rastoff]

The next class on my schedule is "Shooting from in and around vehicles".

Interesting. Earlier this year I was at this class:
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Vk095Uv7s&feature=youtu.be[/ame]
As you can see, I'm no John Wick.

This was at Front Sight. The thing I like about Front Sight is the tiered training. What I mean by that is, they don't put first time students in a situation like this. To get to this class, I had to get Distinguished Graduate (DG) in their Defensive Handgun class and then attend Tactical Handgun before I could get to this class. Doing it this way ensures that all the students in this class had solid fundamentals and know how to handle their guns safely before they get put in stressful situations like this under live fire.

 

[Protected One]

Interesting. Earlier this year I was at this class:
YouTube
As you can see, I'm no John Wick.

This was at Front Sight. The thing I like about Front Sight is the tiered training. What I mean by that is, they don't put first time students in a situation like this. To get to this class, I had to get Distinguished Graduate (DG) in their Defensive Handgun class and then attend Tactical Handgun before I could get to this class. Doing it this way ensures that all the students in this class had solid fundamentals and know how to handle their guns safely before they get put in stressful situations like this under live fire.

LOL. I presume that was YOU getting screamed at?

Their requirements are similar to my instructors: EVERYONE must first take Concealed Carry Tactics Fundamentals, which included some things that other courses I've taken teach as "advanced". Then graduate to Concealed Carry Tactics Advanced, which is a live fire class. The next class is by invitation only. I'm looking forward to it next year. After that I will take an active shooter survival course and then just repeat the courses to reinforce/refresh them.

 

[LPD256]

I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend some great training. MAG40 with Ayoob made me look at concealed carry and the consequences of civilian use of a firearm in a totally different way. Best $800 I ever spent since I carry every day. Four ten hour days. An investment I hope to never need. Gunsite was a father-son trip for us. Lots of shooting and attention to mindset in a beautiful location. Yes, it was expensive. But an adventure my son and I will talk about forever. I’ve had great training at my local range as well. I’m hoping next up will be John McPhee, the Sheriff of Baghdad. He offers some great one day classes. And travels around. I believe if one carries everyday, we have the responsibility to continue to practice and learn.

 

[JJEH]

Earlier this year I signed up with AZTEC for a Larry Vickers class but unfortunately the class was cancelled. I believe it was a 2 day advanced class for $575. I got a refund.

 

[Protected One]

Earlier this year I signed up with AZTEC for a Larry Vickers class but unfortunately the class was cancelled. I believe it was a 2 day advanced class for $575. I got a refund.

That has happened to me twice. Both times due to insufficient enrollment.

 

[shell627]

Louis Awerbuck used to tell me that there was no one way.He said to train with as many people or schools as you could. And take what worked for you.One persons way may not work for you.But a piece of this and a piece of that and you have a way.

 

[Protected One]

Interesting. Earlier this year I was at this class:
YouTube
As you can see, I'm no John Wick.

This was at Front Sight. The thing I like about Front Sight is the tiered training. What I mean by that is, they don't put first time students in a situation like this. To get to this class, I had to get Distinguished Graduate (DG) in their Defensive Handgun class and then attend Tactical Handgun before I could get to this class. Doing it this way ensures that all the students in this class had solid fundamentals and know how to handle their guns safely before they get put in stressful situations like this under live fire.

Did you do any shooting from inside the vehicle, or outside shooting into the vehicle?

 

[keith44spl]

Interesting. Earlier this year I was at this class:
YouTube
As you can see, I'm no John Wick.

This was at Front Sight. The thing I like about Front Sight is the tiered training. What I mean by that is, they don't put first time students in a situation like this. To get to this class, I had to get Distinguished Graduate (DG) in their Defensive Handgun class and then attend Tactical Handgun before I could get to this class. Doing it this way ensures that all the students in this class had solid fundamentals and know how to handle their guns safely before they get put in stressful situations like this under live fire.

Well, did ya ever get any hits???


.

 

[JJEH]

That has happened to me twice. Both times due to insufficient enrollment.

I believe Mr. Vickers had other obligations at that time the class was scheduled. I'm not mad since I got a full refund but it sure would have been nice.