AAR FROM VSM CLASS 5-22-2011 PICS

[Mr. Smith]

AAR still to come.

Class thread.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=77812&referrerid=3026






http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/SuperiorFirearms/VSM%20CLASS%205-22-2011/100_3460.jpg

http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/SuperiorFirearms/VSM%20CLASS%205-22-2011/100_3434.jpg

http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/SuperiorFirearms/VSM%20CLASS%205-22-2011/100_3424.jpg

http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/SuperiorFirearms/VSM%20CLASS%205-22-2011/100_3425.jpg

[Army Chief]

I suppose if he really applied himself, Larry could deliver the VSM handgun course every bit as well as our own Mr. Smith/Joe, but he would definitely have to bring his A-game. ;)

Joe is a gifted instructor of wry wit that obviously cares about what he's doing, the tools and techniques involved in doing it, and the investment he's making in each and every student. I have entrusted him with my cherry-Lieutenant son's training -- as well as my own -- and I don't know how to offer any higher recommendation than that.

AC

[superr.stu]

At the risk mirroring AC a little bit. Mr. Smith is a very good instructor that gives his best, and expects yours in return.

AC, you and Chuss weren't messing around, and your son was shooting pretty good as well. It was great spending the day down there with ya.

And thanks to Appalachian for coming and keeping us safe.

Edit: adding some thoughts I had on some of the lessons of the day.

Towards the end of the day we did the Mozambique drill, first strong side then weak side. It seemed like a bit of a task at first, but working through it probably made it my favorite of the day. We really had to bear down to make effective shots, and you really had to be on top of your gun, otherwise the drill would take two years to complete. Looking back on the drill making effective, efficient, repeatable body and head shots, was a very rewarding.

Ball and Dummy is and always will be a brutally honest drill. And you seem to always have the hugest flinch of your life when the instructor is watching. That said, it was probably one of the most important and most educational drills of the day. It's hard to lie to yourself when you think the gun is going to go bang and it doesn't.

Joe also pulled out one of my favorites from a previous class, shooting for group with taped over sights. Much like ball and dummy, it shows you very clearly if you're controlling the trigger or not. When you think you're holding on center of target, but the shots start going somewhere else, that's just some really good feedback on what you are doing as you shoot.

[Appalachian]

Couple of thoughts from a guy who wasn't shooting (this time):

I learned a lot from all the shooters in this class, there are some guys that are on their game. It was very enjoyable to interact with the group of gentlemen that were there.

I have seen Joe through a few classes, I admire his ability to tune the pace and the instruction to the "heartbeat" of the students. This pistol class was nothing like the one in March, but it had the same end result for the students. Joe has a good sense of the collective need as the day progresses and adjusts the intruction accordingly. A great man to learn from.

Trends within the shooters (not an indictment of anyone's ability, just some lessons I will take forward):

Some of our guys want to grab/ pull the magazine from the gun during reloads. The desire to touch the mag one last time before it hit the ground occurred more than once. Possibly a leftover habit from ranges past. Mark the mags ahead of time, drop them free and pick them up after all the shooting is done.

Things that get inside the shooter's head (I know all too well first hand). Shooting on command, having everyone watch you shoot, having a camera on you, and the evil timer can all de-synch the shooter in a hurry. These are excellent stressors that can be practiced with a training partner even at the most restrictive ranges.

Reloading and malf clearance. These too will get inside the shooter's brain housing group and take you off your game. Joe drove home the point that the follow up shots are just that much more important because you are already in a gunfight and something went wrong in stride. He reinforced all day that the trigger press has ALWAYS got to be correct.

As a side note, a lot of 1911/2011s in the class this time. The striker guns were definitely outnumbered. Joe took the time to talk 1911 mags and their structure; a warning about flush 1911 mags proved itself out with a combo "shoot and have your mag fall out" by a 1911 shooter on line.

If you are in the region and can get to one of Joe's classes I highly recommend you do so. I know I will continue to be a repeat offender with him.

[chuss]

It was great to get back to Louisville and train with Joe again. There were some familiar faces...and some new ones, too. Joe is certainly building a great "band of brothers" in these classes, and it's exciting to see everyone begin the journey and progress with each subsequent class.

Joe ran us thru some familiar drills yesterday, and introduced a new one I hadn't seen yet, "firing on command". It's a whole lot different when you have to shoot at a precise moment vs at your own leisure.

It seems that my groups were a little tighter this time, and I'll have to contribute that to Joe's voice in my head from the previous classes, practice during class, and dry firing outside of class.
I look forward to the carbine class in June...and other surprises Joe has in store for us throughout the year.

I try to pay Joe one class ahead of time, guaranteeing me a spot...as it seems he has no trouble filling up these classes.

Thanks again Joe and everyone...it was alot of fun as usual...and I hope to see you next month.

Chris

[Mr. Smith]

I am truly blessed to have good students and grate friends.
It is humbling to see the things that people have posted about me.
If you know me you know I don't post often and you know why but to have men of this caliber say such things about me makes me feel all soft inside.
I don't know what to say to you all other than you are my brothers and thank you.

http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/SuperiorFirearms/VSM%20CLASS%205-22-2011/100_3426.jpg

http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/SuperiorFirearms/VSM%20CLASS%205-22-2011/100_3427.jpg

http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/SuperiorFirearms/VSM%20CLASS%205-22-2011/100_3438.jpg

http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy358/SuperiorFirearms/VSM%20CLASS%205-22-2011/100_3428.jpg