Pat_Rogers
09-16-07, 23:35
AAR Casa Grande AZ 14-16Sept 2007
EAG conducted a Carbine Operators Course at the Casa Grande AZ PD range 14-16 September 2007. The WX continued to be hot, with temps from 105- 115. As with the previous Eloy class, those in reasonable physical shape did tolerate the heat well. Those who were not, did not.
In police work we call this a clue. In order to achieve maximum effectiveness, your head has to be screwed on straight and your body needs to be functioning well. Anything less means reduced performance, increased safety issues and a general lowering of class efficiency.
Some people can cope with this because they have lived a lifestyle that includes hardships and decision making. Others have a different lifestyle and fall apart the instant they fall out of their comfort zone.
While an open class, this was like the previous class at Eloy and was heavily populated by professionals, with cops from San Diego (AKA Sandy Eggo), El Cajon, AZ DPS, Border Patrol and other agencies, a super experienced Blackhawk pilot and various people involved in the mil industry. This includes Jeff Cahill, a good friend and principal of TangoDown.
A pleasant addition was Denny Hansen, editor of the very successful SWAT magazine and his 19 year old daughter Ashleigh, who is writing a story about this class from the female point of view.
We had a total of four Ladies in the last two classes, a nice trend. Those women coming to my carbine classes don’t complain, whine or snivel, and have a much different attitude from the general population in general.
Like all classes, this was a mix of old friends, and the ability to make new ones.
Those who spend their time and money to ensure that they have an edge to win are generally several steps above the masses.
The very nice thing about most classes in general- and the Eloy and Casa Grande classes in particular- is that they were populated by some very sharp and experienced real deal guys- cop, mil, contractors. All of them had great attitudes, and all were willing to share everything- guns, ammo, experience. It was all there and one could accept it or not. Wise people could and benefited.
Magazines weren’t as much a problem as they are in other classes. The PMAGs are running with boring efficiency.
Rifle problems exist, but there were not too many in this class. A LWRC gun had multiple feeding/ extraction issues. However, the lower was a Franken type and the owner stated that most of the issues were related to that and it finished the class. There was the usual assortment or wear part issues- action springs, extractor springs etc, but Josh handled all of them.
One student had a very retro gun (she has been away from shooting for years). This fixed stock, 16” carbine had slots milled in the top/ sides of the ban type barrel. After every shot fired, the barrel twisted down and right, making rapid, accurate shots difficult. She did well with it, but probably done even better without the slots in the barrel.
The training business as well as the gun business evolves- what was good then may or may not be now. But, without the efforts of a lot of people trying and failing, we would still be floundering with wood stocked guns and safeties in the trigger guard.
As an aside, lodging is always a chancy prospect. You can avoid a lot of problems by staying at better hotels. My company has a deal with Hampton Inn, and it is seldom that we ever run into issues. Lodging in this part of AZ is problematic. The area- while beautiful- has major drug and gang issues, and these filter down into all aspects of life.
one student was asleep in his room when a crack whore used a key card to gain entry to his room and demanded money. The POS was clearly guilty of poor target selection.
The lesson here is that while you can’t always avoid the filth and garbage that are drug users, you can double lock doors, chain lock when possible and keep a chair in front of the door. Have a plan, and be ready to execute that plan when necessary.
Thanks to Mike Hueser and Josh K for keeping both people and guns functional. Special thanks also to Chris Lapre, host for both the Eloy class and the Casa Grande Class and who ably assisted us on the line. Thanks to both the Eloy and Casa Grande Police Departments to permit us to use their facilities. Many thanks as well to his lovely wife Cindy for providing a spectacular Italian dinner for the entire class.
And of course, thanks to Marty, his 14 week old Wal Mart parking lot pup for providing warmth, entertainment and love. What a charmer!
Special thanks to Viking Tactics, Larue Tactical, H&G, TangoDown, Slip 2000 and CSM gear. We appreciate your support.
EAG conducted a Carbine Operators Course at the Casa Grande AZ PD range 14-16 September 2007. The WX continued to be hot, with temps from 105- 115. As with the previous Eloy class, those in reasonable physical shape did tolerate the heat well. Those who were not, did not.
In police work we call this a clue. In order to achieve maximum effectiveness, your head has to be screwed on straight and your body needs to be functioning well. Anything less means reduced performance, increased safety issues and a general lowering of class efficiency.
Some people can cope with this because they have lived a lifestyle that includes hardships and decision making. Others have a different lifestyle and fall apart the instant they fall out of their comfort zone.
While an open class, this was like the previous class at Eloy and was heavily populated by professionals, with cops from San Diego (AKA Sandy Eggo), El Cajon, AZ DPS, Border Patrol and other agencies, a super experienced Blackhawk pilot and various people involved in the mil industry. This includes Jeff Cahill, a good friend and principal of TangoDown.
A pleasant addition was Denny Hansen, editor of the very successful SWAT magazine and his 19 year old daughter Ashleigh, who is writing a story about this class from the female point of view.
We had a total of four Ladies in the last two classes, a nice trend. Those women coming to my carbine classes don’t complain, whine or snivel, and have a much different attitude from the general population in general.
Like all classes, this was a mix of old friends, and the ability to make new ones.
Those who spend their time and money to ensure that they have an edge to win are generally several steps above the masses.
The very nice thing about most classes in general- and the Eloy and Casa Grande classes in particular- is that they were populated by some very sharp and experienced real deal guys- cop, mil, contractors. All of them had great attitudes, and all were willing to share everything- guns, ammo, experience. It was all there and one could accept it or not. Wise people could and benefited.
Magazines weren’t as much a problem as they are in other classes. The PMAGs are running with boring efficiency.
Rifle problems exist, but there were not too many in this class. A LWRC gun had multiple feeding/ extraction issues. However, the lower was a Franken type and the owner stated that most of the issues were related to that and it finished the class. There was the usual assortment or wear part issues- action springs, extractor springs etc, but Josh handled all of them.
One student had a very retro gun (she has been away from shooting for years). This fixed stock, 16” carbine had slots milled in the top/ sides of the ban type barrel. After every shot fired, the barrel twisted down and right, making rapid, accurate shots difficult. She did well with it, but probably done even better without the slots in the barrel.
The training business as well as the gun business evolves- what was good then may or may not be now. But, without the efforts of a lot of people trying and failing, we would still be floundering with wood stocked guns and safeties in the trigger guard.
As an aside, lodging is always a chancy prospect. You can avoid a lot of problems by staying at better hotels. My company has a deal with Hampton Inn, and it is seldom that we ever run into issues. Lodging in this part of AZ is problematic. The area- while beautiful- has major drug and gang issues, and these filter down into all aspects of life.
one student was asleep in his room when a crack whore used a key card to gain entry to his room and demanded money. The POS was clearly guilty of poor target selection.
The lesson here is that while you can’t always avoid the filth and garbage that are drug users, you can double lock doors, chain lock when possible and keep a chair in front of the door. Have a plan, and be ready to execute that plan when necessary.
Thanks to Mike Hueser and Josh K for keeping both people and guns functional. Special thanks also to Chris Lapre, host for both the Eloy class and the Casa Grande Class and who ably assisted us on the line. Thanks to both the Eloy and Casa Grande Police Departments to permit us to use their facilities. Many thanks as well to his lovely wife Cindy for providing a spectacular Italian dinner for the entire class.
And of course, thanks to Marty, his 14 week old Wal Mart parking lot pup for providing warmth, entertainment and love. What a charmer!
Special thanks to Viking Tactics, Larue Tactical, H&G, TangoDown, Slip 2000 and CSM gear. We appreciate your support.