ToddG's Tuesday night practice session AAR

Littlelebowski · #1 05-19-2009, 10:52 PM

* ToddG is running monthly classes at the NRA range.* Tonight was the first one and I was there.

* -Todd walks the walk. Every drill started with him showing you how it's done and
scary fast and accurate at that.

* -he will not hesitate to tell you that you are doing something wrong and to fix it

* -his drills are pretty danged fun

* -the end of class contest where we engaged a metal target with one round and
moved onto a mansized target some feet away with two rounds was enlightening.
Really made what he taught come together.

* -the best shooter was shooting a plastic Sig 9mm. Not sure which model. Hot on his
heels were the Glock 34 shooters and your humble narrator did just fine with my
trusty Glock 19. The 1911 shooters had no noticeable advantage. Not in accuracy
or speed. In fast, they were noticeably slower in speed drills and reloaded twice as
much as the polymer pistol shooters. There was no measurable difference in
accuracy between the 1911s and the Glocks. If anything, the Glocks were more
accurate. Probably mechanically less accurate but it ain't the arrow, it's the Indian.
However, the class really hammered home the difference between mechanical
and practical accuracy. You can have nice tight groups from a bench at 25
yards but throw in a few drills and the you won't see why you spent that extra
money.

m4fun · #2 05-20-2009, 10:24 AM

Great class - perfect timing. Continue to be reminded of how far I still need to improve(had a similar experience in a Service Rifle Match last week)

Need to coordinate with my family for more remedial practice time.

Littlelebowski · #3 05-20-2009, 11:16 AM

Met a great bunch of guys last night. I'm pretty happy my arm didn't hinder me nor hurt at all.

G34Shooter · #4 05-20-2009, 12:17 PM

Must be nice to live close enough to participate

Pk14 · #5 05-20-2009, 12:32 PM

We're pretty lucky in NoVA to have access to resources like yesterday evening's training - last night was a perfect opportunity to devote 3 quality hours to shooting under Todd's watchful eyes.

Enjoyed meeting Lil' and others for the first time - nice to know this forum is made up of great people!

Looking forward to next month (and the practice in the interim to make a better showing on the Popper competition!)

Cheers,
Pk

SeriousStudent · #6 05-20-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littlelebowski

Met a great bunch of guys last night. I'm pretty happy my arm didn't hinder me nor hurt at all.

I'm glad to hear your rehab seems to be working out well.

Good luck with the remainder of your recovery.

Arclight · #7 05-20-2009, 07:38 PM

You did impressively well considering your injuries (quite well even without factoring that in). I would have joined you representing the Glock 19 but the guys talked me into using my much-neglected G34.

Just hope ammo prices come down so I can get some for a future session. Looking forward to shooting with you gents again.

SHIVAN · #8 05-20-2009, 07:51 PM

When is the next one, June 16th?

Littlelebowski · #9 05-20-2009, 08:04 PM

Was that you helping me represent Target # 3, Arclight?

Next time, I'm bringing my G17. I can shoot better with it than my trusty 19.

Arclight · #10 05-20-2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littlelebowski

Was that you helping me represent Target # 3, Arclight?

Next time, I'm bringing my G17. I can shoot better with it than my trusty 19.

It was indeed. I recommend the G17. I shoot better with the 34 than the 19, so I'll get worse and you'll get better. You'll have to carry more of the lane 3 work

I meant to ask -- why the appendix carry? I know some folks who swear by it (and know their stuff), but you don't see it very often in settings like this. Trying something new, or is that your preferred method?

GPSIG · #11 05-20-2009, 09:59 PM

Nice shooting by both representatives of Lane 3, considering your elbow remodel, pretty amazing Littlebowski. And just to correct the record, I was shooting the G35, not the G34 like my buddies. Great night, and some good training.

JSGlock34 · #12 05-20-2009, 10:08 PM

Yep, Arclight was on 3. I was on 5.

This was an enjoyable and educational night. Todd has a very nuanced approach to the fundamentals - he made subtle adjustments to my grip and draw that I'm confident will translate into faster times - so long as I keep up the practice.

NRA is a great range, but the drop off in IDPA matches means there are seldom opportunities to go forward of the booths anymore. I'd really like to practice shooting on the move, multiple targets, different firing positions and the other skills that you just can't get to from the booth. I hope future sessions build towards these more advanced skills. It was good to start off the first session with the fundamentals though, and a reminder that these skills are perishable.

Todd - any chance of a full fledged Aim Fast Hit Fast class at NRA in the future?

It was good meeting other shooters from the area, and I look forward to the next class.

ToddG · #13 05-20-2009, 11:17 PM

First, I wish I had thought to ask me their M4C screen names ... I can't believe I met some of you and had no idea who you were. We were really impressed with the overall skill level and except for a couple of real newbies, everyone was safe and professional.

Second, I want to thank everyone who attended. It was our first time running that format and we learned quite a bit. In the future, we probably won't spend as much (or any) time back in the booths.

Third, we're still waiting to find out what date we'll get for next month. Sneaky bastards might consider calling the range during normal daytime business hours (when the Range Manager and office manager are there) and asking them when the next practice session will be. That might better communicate to them the interest level. 703-267-1402 ...

Finally, a full AFHF 2-day program at NRA is almost impossible. Doing it on a weekend is absolutely impossible, they won't shut down for a class. Doing it Tu/We or We/Th might be possible, but the scheduling would be at their mercy, the range fee per student would be steep, and I doubt enough people would sign up for a 2-day mid-week class. There are other venues within a couple hours of DC (like the class in Culpeper in August) that just make more sense.

JSGlock34 · #14 05-21-2009, 12:01 AM

That's unfortunate, but unsurprising. NRA used to offer classes on a regular basis taught by SFI (basic, intermediate and advanced pistol, as well as a practical carbine class), but just like IDPA matches, training opportunities there have become few and far between. The SFI classes used to run over a span of three evenings (usually Sunday-Tuesday nights), so perhaps something like that is possible if there is enough interest. Hopefully, sustained demand for the practice sessions can translate to more extensive training opportunities in the future. I'll be sure to call during the week!

m4fun · #15 05-21-2009, 03:07 AM

Wow - lots of M4C guys. I was the short guy on lane 6, second group. Glock 19, just because...

Todd - thanks for the pen mark across the hands - next time do it doubly hard since that is what I have to practice.

Whats sad is I live like 3 miles away from the NRA range, and it took me almost 20 minutes to get there.

Littlelebowski · #16 05-21-2009, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

It was indeed. I recommend the G17. I shoot better with the 34 than the 19, so I'll get worse and you'll get better. You'll have to carry more of the lane 3 work

I meant to ask -- why the appendix carry? I know some folks who swear by it (and know their stuff), but you don't see it very often in settings like this. Trying something new, or is that your preferred method?

That's my exact carry method so I figured "train like you fight" or something like that

I might change it up with a holster on the hip and my G17 next time.

I prefer carrying appendix style mainly because it's so hard to detect and it seems to be very fast from a concealed draw. The Looper holster is outstanding and I never once felt handicapped by it Tuesday night.

This was my first ever (outside of the Marine Corps) formal pistol training and I'm happy just to not have embarrassed myself.

Arclight · #17 05-21-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littlelebowski

That's my exact carry method so I figured "train like you fight" or something like that...

I'm a firm believer in this concept. Consistency is important. And that method seemed to work out just fine for you. In my humble opinion, I wouldn't change it for practice unless you were actually planning to carry differently or wanted to seriously evaluate another carry method. But don't take my word for it. I only know what works for me.

Todd: Thoughts on the benefits of practicing different methods of carry vs. the downsides of not developing consistent patterns?

It will be interesting to see how various carry methods and hardware works/doesn't work for the material in each of the different practice sessions.

Littlelebowski · #18 05-21-2009, 09:08 AM

Couple of things I noticed was that the Serpa holster is slow and the 1911 thumb safety can be slow.

gotm4 · #19 05-21-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littlelebowski

Couple of things I noticed was that the Serpa holster is slow and the 1911 thumb safety can be slow.

Both depending on the shooter. I've witnessed Todd Jarrett do a .65 sec draw from a level 3 Blackhawk holster.

Littlelebowski · #20 05-21-2009, 09:16 AM

No doubt.