chuss
10-02-12, 20:03
Vickers Shooting Method 2 Day Handgun & Carbine September 29-30 2012 Knob Creek
Instructor: Joe Barnsfather
Number of students: 14
Weapons: Glock, M&P, 1911, AR & AK variants
On the first day, we focused on handgun skills. Joe proposed a challenge for us first thing in the morning, the Ken Hackathorn 10-10-10 drill, cold...no warmups. 10 rounds, 10 yards, 10 seconds all within a 5 inch circle, from a low ready position. I have successfully passed this drill before in 8 seconds...but I was not cold. I failed with 5 shots in...and 5 shots out...at least. Needless to say, I was pretty shaken up the rest of the day.
Joe had us work on the fundamentals. We shot dominant/non-dominant. Two hands, one hand. Switch eyes when you switch sides. We shot from 5-25 yards. We worked on shooting from the draw. Some drills we would practice without a timer, then he'd time us for added pressure, while everyone was watching, I might add. :)
Besides learning how to shoot, one of the other great things about Joe's classes, is that you can ask him any question about this field and he will have a good answer, and back it up with examples. He's a walking encyclopedia on all things guns.
We might have shot close to 300 rounds that day...but I was definitely fatigued from concentrating on making those shots...and trying to correct my misses.
On day 2, we shot carbine.
Again, Joe challenged us with the 1-5 drill from 25 yards, all within 20 seconds. Basically, there were 3 targets setup. The first target gets shot once, the next target twice, the third three times, then back to the middle target for four, lastly the first target for five. COLD, no warmups...not even zeroing! Nobody passed this one either. 25 yards is a farther away at 9am, than it is after lunch. :)
After that, we zeroed our rifles in the prone position from 50 yards. Bringing cardboard to lay on is a good thing if you don't want to be dirty all day. Knob Creek is known to be wet.
We worked on the fundamentals. I was running an AK for the first time. It took a little bit to get used to compared to my Noveske AR...but not as long as I thought it would. 7.62 has more recoil compared to the .223 I was used to shooting...but I managed to shoot well with it.
Joe spoke to us about gear during breaks. Alot of student questions about gear and gear placement.
We shot mostly from 25 yards, although we did a few drills at 50 & 75 yards. The drills we did at 10 yards and under were the most enjoyable to me...because I could shoot the AK faster. It was a small mental break from having to focus so much at 25 yards and beyond.
We did shoulder transitions. Carbine to pistol transitions. Malfunction clearance drills. Can't do that drill enough, especially with the AR. Since I was running the AK this time...there wasn't much for me to do. :)
There were some familiar faces and some new faces in this class. I hope to see everyone again soon. Everyone was really nice and helpful. Joe puts together a great group of shooters and friends.
It had been at least 2 months since I shot...and it showed. Shooting is a perishable skill...and I look forward to taking another one of Joe's classes in November.
Thanks everyone,
Chris
Instructor: Joe Barnsfather
Number of students: 14
Weapons: Glock, M&P, 1911, AR & AK variants
On the first day, we focused on handgun skills. Joe proposed a challenge for us first thing in the morning, the Ken Hackathorn 10-10-10 drill, cold...no warmups. 10 rounds, 10 yards, 10 seconds all within a 5 inch circle, from a low ready position. I have successfully passed this drill before in 8 seconds...but I was not cold. I failed with 5 shots in...and 5 shots out...at least. Needless to say, I was pretty shaken up the rest of the day.
Joe had us work on the fundamentals. We shot dominant/non-dominant. Two hands, one hand. Switch eyes when you switch sides. We shot from 5-25 yards. We worked on shooting from the draw. Some drills we would practice without a timer, then he'd time us for added pressure, while everyone was watching, I might add. :)
Besides learning how to shoot, one of the other great things about Joe's classes, is that you can ask him any question about this field and he will have a good answer, and back it up with examples. He's a walking encyclopedia on all things guns.
We might have shot close to 300 rounds that day...but I was definitely fatigued from concentrating on making those shots...and trying to correct my misses.
On day 2, we shot carbine.
Again, Joe challenged us with the 1-5 drill from 25 yards, all within 20 seconds. Basically, there were 3 targets setup. The first target gets shot once, the next target twice, the third three times, then back to the middle target for four, lastly the first target for five. COLD, no warmups...not even zeroing! Nobody passed this one either. 25 yards is a farther away at 9am, than it is after lunch. :)
After that, we zeroed our rifles in the prone position from 50 yards. Bringing cardboard to lay on is a good thing if you don't want to be dirty all day. Knob Creek is known to be wet.
We worked on the fundamentals. I was running an AK for the first time. It took a little bit to get used to compared to my Noveske AR...but not as long as I thought it would. 7.62 has more recoil compared to the .223 I was used to shooting...but I managed to shoot well with it.
Joe spoke to us about gear during breaks. Alot of student questions about gear and gear placement.
We shot mostly from 25 yards, although we did a few drills at 50 & 75 yards. The drills we did at 10 yards and under were the most enjoyable to me...because I could shoot the AK faster. It was a small mental break from having to focus so much at 25 yards and beyond.
We did shoulder transitions. Carbine to pistol transitions. Malfunction clearance drills. Can't do that drill enough, especially with the AR. Since I was running the AK this time...there wasn't much for me to do. :)
There were some familiar faces and some new faces in this class. I hope to see everyone again soon. Everyone was really nice and helpful. Joe puts together a great group of shooters and friends.
It had been at least 2 months since I shot...and it showed. Shooting is a perishable skill...and I look forward to taking another one of Joe's classes in November.
Thanks everyone,
Chris