Vickers Tactical Hackathorn/Vickers Low Light Level I class - May 10 - 11 - 12, 2008

[VA_Dinger]

Vickers Tactical Hackathorn/Vickers Low Light Level I class

Vickers Tactical website: www.Vickerstactical.com

Larry Vickers is a retired career special operations soldier with 20-plus years of service to our country. A longtime 1st SFOD- Delta operational member, he was a key player in the small arms marksmanship expertise and weapons selection of that Unit. He brings a very unique set of skills to the market, and has a wide and varied background in the firearms industry.

Select Special Operations , Military, and Law Enforcement Units seek him out on a regular basis for expert combat marksmanship training. Considered one of the best combat marksmanship instructors in the U.S, he has become one of the most sought after instructors in the Worldwide Special Operations community.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r147/VickersTactical/DesertStorm.jpg

Class Dates: May 10 - 11 - 12, 2008 (Sat -Sun -Mon)

Cost: $700

Primary Instructors: Ken Hackathorn & Larry Vickers

Assistant Instructors: TBD

Class Size: 16 Students Maximum

Location: Marietta, Ohio

Class description:
Larry Vickers;
“This class is in response to the low-light/white light/laser training that
Ken and I do in our normal classes. This training, which normally consists
of about 2 hours of low-light work, has been met with overwhelming positive
comments from students. Many leave the class saying that was the single
best part of the training. Ken and I have a unique approach in our
Low light training so the idea was born to do a special class. The ranges
that will be used will be in the area of Marietta, Ohio near Ken's stomping
grounds.”

Day 1

- Range fire carbine & pistol - warm up skill drills
- Intro to low light shooting, Carbine and pistol point shooting, night-sights/white-light/laser.

Day 2

- Range fire carbine & pistol, warm up skill drills, basic house clearing
- Low light drills carbine & pistol, house clearing with white light &
laser shooting on the move, flashbulb technique, malfunction clearance
drills.


Day 3

- Review of range drills and course teaching points review
- Competitions and various shoot offs, course Q&A wrap-up, wheels up from
range approx. 3:30 PM.

Weapon & Gear Class Requirements:

Carbine:
- Serviceable duty grade carbine of minimum 5.45 / 5.56 caliber
- Serviceable sling (tactical type preferred.)
- Minimum of 5 serviceable carbine magazines
- Carbine mounted white light
- Optics – (Optional, but highly suggested)
- Minimum 1 carbine magazine pouch - or method to carry spares magazine(s)

Handgun:
- Serviceable duty grade handgun of at least 9mm Para caliber
- Minimum of 5 serviceable pistol magazines
- Serviceable holster
- Minimum 2 pistol magazine pouches
- Handgun mounted white light (Optional)
- Visible lasers (Optional)

- Hand held white light
- Eye and ear protection (electronic hearing protection is preferred)
- Suitable range wear depending on the season (Ohio in May could be hot or
cold/wet or dry - be prepared)
- Good attitude

Zeroed Weapons: 50-yard carbine preferred, but others are acceptable if you
have a good reason why and understand it. Know your handguns zero at
various ranges.

Ammo Requirements:
- 800 rounds of handgun
- 800 rounds of carbine
- Service types (No reloads)

Class prerequisites: Anyone attending this class must have attended at least a level one pistol or carbine class. Other instructors, military, LE training will of coarse be accepted but on a case-by-case basis. Please let me know your training history when you contact me to sign up.

[the1911fan]

I'm in..did this class last year and want to do it again before I go to LL level II

[John_Wayne777]

I attended the November 2007 edition of this class....

Folks, you NEED this one. It's one of the best training experiences going.

[Larry Vickers]

Guys

This class is due to the overwhelming positive feedback and requests for another level 1 class - straight up I apologize for the fact it is on mothers day weekend - Ken and i have a hard time co-ordinating schedules and of course springtime weekends always fill up first

hope you guys can make it as it is a dynamite class - ask anyone that has been to it

be safe

Larry Vickers

www.vickerstactical.com

[Harv]

Larry..
You really need to drag your butt over to WI for a class.. way better food...;)

My truck is to old to make it to Virginia....;)

[John_Wayne777]

Larry..
You really need to drag your butt over to WI for a class.. way better food...;)

My truck is to old to make it to Virginia....;)

This one's in Ohio.

You can split the difference.

[TOrrock]

Guys, if you've had some training before, and can make this class, DO IT.

[KevinB]

I would not mind doing it again - hmmm

[John_Wayne777]

It is rather tempting, innit?

[Jay Cunningham]

I would repeat level I if I could afford both it and level II, but alas, I don't have the funds or time available.

I figure I'll take advantage of the rarer opportunity, because who knows if the level II will come back in '09...

[dubb-1]

Disregard

[JC_]

Hey Dirtbag -

You going to be at this class?

[VA_Dinger]

Hey Dirtbag -

You going to be at this class?

:D

Wow, look what the cat dragged in.

It would be nice if we could coax you out of your two year training coma.

I'm going to attend.

[JC_]

:D

Wow, look what the cat dragged in.

It would be nice if we could coax you out of your two year training coma.

I'm going to attend.

Yeah, whats up with that? :confused:

Any room left?

[VA_Dinger]

Yeah, whats up with that? :confused:

Room for a rusty rookie? :eek:


JC_, I know your good-to-go.

I will email you the registration form in the morning.

Welcome aboard.

PM sent w/ my cell number.

[JC_]

JC_, I know your good-to-go.

I will email you the registration form in the morning.

Welcome aboard.

PM sent w/ my cell number.



Cool - You change phone numbers like some people change sock - talk to you soon!

[VA_Dinger]

FYI: The payment & deposit email has been sent to everybody who has signed up so far.

Currently the class is sitting at 1/2 full.

Please contact me if you would like to attend.

Thank you.

[Street Survival]

Thanks Dinger. No Rush, when ever you get around to it.


Fraternally yours

Jimmy Ward

[VA_Dinger]

Thanks Dinger. No Rush, when ever you get around to it.


Fraternally yours

Jimmy Ward

Hello Jimmy.

All the info got sent to you tonight. Please let me know if you have any additonal questions.

[Street Survival]

Thanks Paul.

[Heavy Metal]

Temptation.....Marietta is so close to Charleston!

:D

[Street Survival]

Hey Good Morning Dinger,

This sounds like a Excellent Course. My friend and I would like to take it, where do we send our shooting resume & cash??? Hopefully it didn't fill up already.

Let me know, Thanks!!!

[VA_Dinger]

Hey Good Morning Dinger,

This sounds like a Excellent Course. My friend and I would like to take it, where do we send our shooting resume & cash??? Hopefully it didn't fill up already.

Let me know, Thanks!!!

You and your friends have been sent all of the required sign-up / payment & deposit information. Just follow my sign-up instructions and you guys will be good to go.

Welcome aboard and see you at the class.

FYI to everybody else: This class is now 1/2 full. Please contact me if you would like to attend.

[MrCln509]

Jimmy,

Thanks for letting me know about this class, it looks like it will be a blast.

Paul,

I will get that application and MO out in the mail tomorrow...thanks again!

-Chris Nolan

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

Sign me up! I need to go "back to Ohio" anyway.:D

[VA_Dinger]

Sign me up! I need to go "back to Ohio" anyway.:D

Greg, welcome aboard.

I will email you all of the sign-up paperwork tonight.

This is going to be an outstanding class.

[VA_Dinger]

FYI: This class is now 2/3 full.

Please contact me if you would like to sign-up.

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

Money is on the way! I am 99% sure I am bringing my SIG 556 and my HK45. Still, I might bring my AK for one half of the class, since I shoot with it more than anything else.

I am really looking forward to meeting Mr. Hackathorn and Mr. Vickers. It will be like I died and went to Weaponology!:D

[Jay Cunningham]

Money is on the way! I am 99% sure I am bringing my SIG 556 and my HK45. Still, I might bring my AK for one half of the class, since I shoot with it more than anything else.

I am really looking forward to meeting Mr. Hackathorn and Mr. Vickers. It will be like I died and went to Weaponology!:D

Have no fear running an AK - just try not to embarass the AR guys too bad.

;)

[VA_Dinger]

I would listen to TheKatar, Templar, and NCPatrolAR. Those guys had zero issues running a properly set-up AK in the Low Light classes last year.

It was impressive.

FYI to everyone: I'm down to the last four open seats for this class. Please contact me if you would like to attend.

[NCPatrolAR]

Money is on the way! I am 99% sure I am bringing my SIG 556 and my HK45. Still, I might bring my AK for one half of the class, since I shoot with it more than anything else.




You'll do fine with an AK. I didnt have any issues with mine other than my Aimpoint going down.

[VA_Dinger]

FYI: Just three seats are still available for this class.

Please contact me if you would like to attend.

[BWATSON47]

Hello to all, I'm new to this site and have already enjoyed looking around.

I have had the privilge of being a student, studying under Mr. Vickers and Mr. Hackathorn before and I'm looking forward to learning more. Both Mr. Vickers and Mr. Hackathorn are world class instructors and I will continue to encourage people to attend thier training classes.

Paul, Thanks again for being helpful and anwsering my endless questions about the enrollment process.

Im looking forward to meeting everyone in May.
BEN

[VA_Dinger]

Hello to all, I'm new to this site and have already enjoyed looking around.

I have had the privilge of being a student, studying under Mr. Vickers and Mr. Hackathorn before and I'm looking forward to learning more. Both Mr. Vickers and Mr. Hackathorn are world class instructors and I will continue to encourage people to attend thier training classes.

Paul, Thanks again for being helpful and anwsering my endless questions about the enrollment process.

Im looking forward to meeting everyone in May.
BEN

Thank you Ben, and welcome aboard. This is going to be an awesome class.

FYI to everybody: Just two seats in this class are still open. Please contact me if you would like to attend.

[BWATSON47]

Gentleman, besides the normal Battle Gear (2 Carbines, 2 Pistols, Good Ammo, Good Mags, White Light, Hot/Cold Weather Clothing, Rain Gear, Eyes/ Ears, Ect..) What are you packing?

A small folding chair?, one former Student advised to pack a roll of TP in my bag. I know everything I bring I'll need to carry, however something(s) just NEED to be carried.

(Im GTG with Gear, Im just wondering about the "Extra" things that I might need)

I'm open to your ideas
Thanks
BEN

[NCPatrolAR]

Gentleman, besides the normal Battle Gear (2 Carbines, 2 Pistols, Good Ammo, Good Mags, White Light, Hot/Cold Weather Clothing, Rain Gear, Eyes/ Ears, Ect..) What are you packing?

A small folding chair?, one former Student advised to pack a roll of TP in my bag. I know everything I bring I'll need to carry, however something(s) just NEED to be carried.

(Im GTG with Gear, Im just wondering about the "Extra" things that I might need)

I'm open to your ideas
Thanks
BEN

I suggest food, drinks, and bail money.

[VA_Dinger]

Gentleman, besides the normal Battle Gear (2 Carbines, 2 Pistols, Good Ammo, Good Mags, White Light, Hot/Cold Weather Clothing, Rain Gear, Eyes/ Ears, Ect..) What are you packing?

A small folding chair?, one former Student advised to pack a roll of TP in my bag. I know everything I bring I'll need to carry, however something(s) just NEED to be carried.

(I'm GTG with Gear, I'm just wondering about the "Extra" things that I might need)

I'm open to your ideas
Thanks
BEN

Spare batteries, weapon cleaning kit & lube, spare pair of hiking boots in case we get wet, ETC.

FYI to everybody: I just had a drop so we have three open spots for this class. This is the only scheduled Low Light I class for 2008, and it is a prerequisite for the Low Light II class. If you ever wanted to attend either please feel free to contact me. We have plenty of time to get you signed up.

[VA_Dinger]

OK, I'm back down to just two open seats for the class.

Please contact me if you would like to attend.

[dhrith]

"I suggest food, drinks, and bail money."

roflmao


No truer words were spoken.

I was beating feet like hell to not be late and get down to the second ak class in VA from MI last year and got tagged by a statie for doing 87 in a 65 or 60 think it was about 20 miles out from the class. He was asking me to get out of the vehicle as he walked up to the door and i was in the middle of disclosing to him that i was carrying with a CPL/CCW and he said "just stay inside". I'm thinking he had different plans for me before he found out i was carrying. ;p Pretty sure that turned out to be my most expensive class after the -class, hotel, gas, ammo, ticket, lawyer. Shrug, least they got the ticket knocked down for insurance i guess. ;p

[VA_Dinger]

I still have a few seats open for the class.

Since this is the only level I low light class for 2008, it would be a shame to miss it if your interested. The level II class filled up in less than twenty-four hours and we held two full level I classes last year.

Please contact me if you would like to attend.

[Larry Vickers]

Gents

Just a quick note here to say that Ken and I have tweaked the program for this event and this will be the best low light 1 yet - as always the more you do them the better they become and we feel this one will be even better than the first two last year

If you can get cut loose from the wife I assure you it will be a great time

looking forward to it and hope to see you guys there

Cheers

Larry Vickers

www.vickerstactical.com

[VA_Dinger]

FYI: I've still got a few seats available for this class.

Just go ahead and email me or sent me a private message if you have any questions.

[John_Wayne777]

I can't wait.....

Low light 1 was an eye opening experience...I'm eager to see how the new and improved LL 1 works out....

[30 cal slut]

VA Dinger ... the ball and chain gave me the go-ahead. PM me the info?

thx.

-slut

[VA_Dinger]

VA Dinger ... the ball and chain gave me the go-ahead. PM me the info?

thx.

-slut

Welcome aboard.

PM sent.

[Street Survival]

Hi Paul,

I'm glad to see you are on line. I have some questions I need answered.

#1: You told me to stay at the Holiday Inn. What town is that in? Am I correct in assuming Marietta? Do you have a contact phone number?
We have to get this booked soon as it Mothers Day Weekend.

#2: What time does the class start the first day?

#3 Any things else that we may need to know?

Thanks for your help.

Fraternally yours

Jimmy Ward

[VA_Dinger]

Hi Paul,

I'm glad to see you are on line. I have some questions I need answered.

#1: You told me to stay at the Holiday Inn. What town is that in? Am I correct in assuming Marietta? Do you have a contact phone number?
We have to get this booked soon as it Mothers Day Weekend.

#2: What time does the class start the first day?

#3 Any things else that we may need to know?

Thanks for your help.

Fraternally yours

Jimmy Ward

PM sent.

If anybody else can help out Street Survival with some advice for the low light classes please feel free to do so.

[CarlosDJackal]

I attended the May 2007 class and I wish I can attend this one. I highly recommend this 3-day class to anyone who can make it. Just make sure you're dialed in and that you have your head on straight because if not, you'll be wearing the yellow helmet!! :D

[30 cal slut]

i just took a supporting role in a bestiality pic to pay for the class, and in another gay porno flick to pay for the ammo and gas.

phone deposit made, papers in the mail to LAV and VA Dinger.

[Larry Vickers]

We should have some nice goodies for students as handouts - not sure if any 'industry celebs' (besides Ken and I of course ;) ) will be there or not

Hope you guys are looking forward to it as it is a very unique experience to say the least - 'enlightening' would be the way I would put it

cheers

Larry Vickers

www.vickerstactical.com

[VA_Dinger]

FYI: I still have a few seats available for this class.

It is the only Hackathorn/Vickers Low Light Level I class scheduled for 2008.

Contact me if you would like to attend.

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

nice goodies

Put me in for a free 416 upper! :D

[VA_Dinger]

FYI:

Just 1-2 seats are still available for this class.

It will be the only Vickers Tactical Low Light Level I class held in 2008. Please contact me if you would like to attend.

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

Everybody:D come and I'll let you shoot buffalo bore through my HK45!

[VA_Dinger]

FYI: I will be emailing everyone the meeting place location, time, and other needed info in the next few days.

If you have any questions or would like to sign-up please contact me.

Paul@vickerstactical.com

Full payments are also now due so you guys can start mailing them in or calling in a with a CC.

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

Hey,

I am planning on bringing my HK45 and my Kahr PM9 as pistols. Obviously, I love my HK45 but being a civilian (for now) I am much likely to encounter a problem with my Kahr Pm9. Would there be a problem with me using the Kahr Pm9 some to change things up?


Also, are we going to conduct the entire class in low light? Will it be a mix?

[John_Wayne777]

Hey,

I am planning on bringing my HK45 and my Kahr PM9 as pistols. Obviously, I love my HK45 but being a civilian (for now) I am much likely to encounter a problem with my Kahr Pm9. Would there be a problem with me using the Kahr Pm9 some to change things up?


Also, are we going to conduct the entire class in low light? Will it be a mix?

I'm not Paul, but I did attend the last session of the low light class so maybe I can help....

As far as bringing your Kahr goes, that shouldn't be a problem. Shoot what you carry, I always say....

That being said, since it's a single stack you probably want to keep more pistol mags handy than the recommended number. LAV and Ken aren't like some instructors that have you shooting so many rounds you have to keep three cargo pockets loaded with ammo and continually load magazines when not shooting to keep up, but you also want to keep from having to run back to reload constantly.

...of course, some people might make fun of you for using a Kahr, but that's another story. A certain someone with a chrome plated Beretta got a little bit of ribbing in the last low light class....;)

EDIT -- it's always a good idea to bring at LEAST two handguns to training, simply because training sessions are hard and can break equipment. I usually try to bring at least 2 handguns that let me use the same ammo between them to cut down on the amount of stuff I have to carry. In the unlikely event that both your handguns go TU on you, somebody there probably will have a spare you can borrow. I plan to do most of my training with my M&P 9mm, but I'll have my .45 caliber version there as well, so if you need a spare .45 caliber handgun you are welcome to use it.

The class essentially works like this: You receive instruction and run drills in the waning daylight hours of early afternoon and then you repeat many of those same drills and exercises in the pitch black Ohio darkness. So no, everything won't be done in the dark. Roughly 50% of the class is spent in the dark.

[VA_Dinger]

Thanks Tim for answering questions. It's nice to have so many vets of these low light specific classes around to offer help/advise.


FYI to everyone attending: I will be sending the full payment reminders, meeting time & place, and other info tomorrow morning. If you still owe on this class it's time to start mailing them in or calling with your CC ready.

FYI to everyone else: I still have 1-2 opening for the class. If you would like to attend please contact me ASAP.

This is the only Vickers Tactical low light level 1 class planned for 2008. Larry & Ken's schedules are just too full to even attempt to fit in another one in 2008.

[John_Wayne777]

You snooze you lose, folks....this really is one of the best training experiences available right now from anybody anywhere. Getting the opportunity to train with two phenomenal instructors in a low light intensive class where a wide range of topics and techniques are covered is something you just don't see on the market right now.

It's worth the price of admission just to listen to Ken tell stories around the campfire on the shoothouse days.

[30 cal slut]

VA Dinger - not sure if you sent out the program, but it would be helpful to get some quick logistical info :

1) what time does this start - afternoon of Saturday 5/10 ?
2) what time does this end - 3 a.m. Tuesday 5/13?
3) recommended lodging (would help to know the range addy)?

Thanks much - I'm on a short leash and have a long drive ahead of me. ;)

[John_Wayne777]

3) recommended lodging (would help to know the range addy)?


If Mr. Vickers and Mr. Hackathorn are running things as they did last time, we will be using two ranges...both located somewhere in the middle of Ohio. I could swear I heard banjos playing on the trip to the range....:D

Anyhoo, the plan at the November class was that everyone meets up at the Holiday Inn in Marietta and then we convoy to the range we are using that day. The drive to the standard range took something like 40 minutes, and the drive to the shoothouse range took a little over an hour if I remember correctly.

My advice would be to book a room at the Holiday Inn and follow the herd.

Start and stop time of the classes will be dictated by how much light and dark Mr. Vickers and Mr. Hackathorn need, I'd imagine.

[VA_Dinger]

OK, the final payment reminder & class info email has been sent to everybody on my roster. If you signed up but did not receive it please let me know. The email includes the day #1 start time, meeting place, ETC.

I also still have ONE open spot for this class. If you would like to attend please let me know. I still have time to sign you up.

[John_Wayne777]

I'm heading up tomorrow morning. I should be rolling into town mid to late afternoon.

I'm thinking that dinner at Austyn's looks like a good idea....anyone that's going to be in by then who also thinks it's a good idea is more than welcome to come along. :D

[The Dumb Gun Collector]

Half way there!! Whoo hoo!!! 5 hours to go. Glad the wife was smart enough to buy a huyndaii a few years back.

[30 cal slut]

Holy $hit.

Are you guys taking good notes? I feel like I'm drinking from a fire hydrant.

:eek:

[30 cal slut]

I am going to take a stab at putting together an AAR from my handwritten notes over the next few days. Bear with me, my notepad on day 2 was soaked.

If you attended the class and would like to be forwarded a copy, please pm me with your e-mail addy.

This will be an iterative process and I'd love input from attendees to complete these notes as best as possible ... since there is no freakin' way I've captured everything.

Since this is Larry's and Ken's intellectual property, I am limiting distribution to the folks who attended unless LAV or Mr. Hackathorn say otherwise. I'm not sure LAV or Ken would like to see this stuff plastered all over the interblab anyways.

If somebody could forward to me a description of the carbine presidente drill on day three (which I missed while whoring some Raven product) please let me know.

As far as the class itself, all I can say is WOW and :( . The quality of instruction was unbelievable and the small class size meant incredible attention from LAV and Ken and the very capable and helpful assistant instructors/RSO's (Larry, Ken, these Ohio guys were really AWESOME). If you wanted to go and couldn't, I am sad to say, you missed out. I can see why people would repeat this class again.

This has to be the single best class I have ever taken ... hopefully I'll have some resources and methods to improve (my pretty crummy) skills.

-slut

[Street Survival]

Combat Shooters,

Listen up!!! Sign up for any and all available classes from these instructors (Vickers & Hackatorn) while you can. The quality of instruction was phenomenal and their attention to detail was beyond reproach. This was one of the best courses I have taken in my 20 yrs of law enforcement training.
I also want to thank all the Assistant Range Officers for the guidance and assistance and Paul Hoatling for setting up the class.

Fraternally yours

Jimmy Ward

[Heavy Metal]

I really wish Larry wasn't pulling the plug on this class. I regret waiting so long to take it now.

I wish he would consider a 1 year reprieve before he did.