Over two weeks. That's a new record.
Lots to recap.
Upstate NY. Good time. The groups were small, and that was cool because it gave me more freedom to play and improvise. The format was new. Randy and Dave wanted four-hour chunks. It flowed well, except I sometimes caught myself referring to an earlier block of training that some of the people hadn't attended. And I've been teaching this a lot, with what seems like few breaks... so I would occasionally want to gloss over things. Constant reminder to all instructors: Just because you've said something a thousand times doesn't mean your students have heard it a thousand times.
Randy was a kick. Genuine, warm, really clever and bitingly sarcastic. Perfect companion for people watching, especially when you feel a little mean about people. He is also a delicate flower and I had to take his man card away when he asked for a decaf pumpkin spice coffee.
Dave is solid. Former cop, gun guy, and a thinker. We had a long drive to talk and listen. Good man. The students at the Rochester event were a mix. Some had got into firearms because of age and fragility. That's a viable option. And think it through, for those of you who teach the hands on stuff. At what point is it no longer safe to even practice some of what we do? The handgun is the big equalizer. But it takes practice and a good teacher. It's a tool, not an answer and it shouldn't be an amulet.
I also got to spend some time (not enough) with Scott C. An old friend (old friend kicks in at about four years, right?) and one of the best men I know. And like a lot of the best of the best, he can't see it in himself.
Finally met Tim B in person as well. Another excessively self-effacing good guy. Turns out we both like the blues...
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Home is good. I've been being a hermit to the best of my ability. Petting dogs, fixing the goat fence and working on a second edition of "Violence: A Writer's Guide." Should kick ass.
Scheduling for next year. Which, BTW is now officially open. If you didn't get the announcement e-mail and you wanted it, sorry. If you're interested in hosting, e-mail is rory@easystreet.net. january has stuff in Washington DC and Granada Hills CA already. Return to the UK in February.
Silhouettes
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(.22 LR handgun, above, airgun targets, below.)
I’m not a serious rifle shooter. I’m okay at it.
Some years ago, I shot in club-c...
4 months ago
6 comments:
It's good to hear from you and really enjoying life. Life is so nice to get wasted. It's good to make the best out of anything. God bless!
AT 50 I've realized I can no longer roll as I once did with the young pups and so have been thinking long and hard about working more with firearms. I teach krav maga but work with some good swat firearm instructors and think it is a great "equalizer" but only with good training. Looking forward to your seminar in Orlando next year Rory. -Bill
"Just because you've said something a thousand times doesn't mean your students have heard it a thousand times."
Thank you for saying this. I try to keep it in mind but still...
constant reminder is good.
Guns need to come with some level of hands-on skill, and that is greatly lacking in most non-LE firearms training. You need to be able to make enough room to draw and detangle the encounter enough to make sure you only hit things that are "not me."
Really, an hour of hands-on time is worth 100 steel plate drills at 10 yards.
I've never seen a gun class that teaches this well. They don't have mat rooms at most ranges.
Rob,
My thoughts. A gun is not an in close fighting weapon, so why train that way?
There might be better options then tying up one of your hands trying to draw a side arm during an ambush situation.
Depending on state SD law, if you can brake contact to effective hand gun range, use if it might no longer be justifed.
Thoughts?
Josh
Recall Rory's 4 rules:
Violence happens closer, faster, harder, and more surprisingly.
A serious attack for most people (police & military are different) is likely to occur at very close ranges. Even most police shootings are inside the 15 yard line. Often inside the 10 yard line... So, you're attacked, partially incapacitated and trying to deal with someone trying to hurt or kill you. Yeah -- you probably need enough hand to hand to shove them back, get room to draw and deal with the threat. Or to defend your gun from a grab...
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