
Originally Posted by
F-Trooper05
Things I learned:
Not all high speed operators should be issued top of the line, $3K 1911's just because they're a member of a special unit. Of the 22 shooters on the line, 17 were running 1911's, and only about three of them could shoot them to their potential. The rest would have been perfectly suited (and in my opinion benefitted) from higher capacity Glocks or similar service weapons. Most of the guys were average shooters at best, and their 1911's only slowed them down.
Most LEO's have no say in what the team issues them. Most LEO's are not gun enthusiasts. Most LEO's are not willing to spend money on job related training. Therefore they use whatever is issued.
I am a bit confused by how they were slowed down by using 1911's. Can you elaborate on that?

Originally Posted by
F-Trooper05
The competition at this particular class left a lot to be desired. At almost every open enrollment class I've ever been to, there's always two or three shooters present who really push me to the edge, and who are usually so good that I get flustered and start to suffer because of it. At this class, there was no one like that present. Dare I say, I was probably the fastest, most accurate shooter on the line (which I was disappointed by).
Most LEO's aren't great shooters. It's only one skill set of many and most of what we do operationally requires the other skills (investigating, research, surveillance, wires, etc.).
Sadly many of them don't realize there are private citizens who are much better shots. It makes it tough to get some of the LEO's to come back out to a local match after an accountant from a bank destroys their time on every stage.

Originally Posted by
F-Trooper05
Many of the shooters were bored easily. The class essentially covered "perfect execution of the fundamentals" as opposed to high speed door kicking tactics, and I think because of this many of the shooters felt like the training was below them. I was sad to see this, because I felt the training had a lot to offer, and while we weren't throwing flash bangs and blowing breach charges, we were absolutely learning life saving skills that I felt many simply let go over their heads because they felt like they were too good for it.
Some.of it may well be arrogance. Most likely it's because they still view it as work. As mentioned, most are not into firearms and carrying a gun is just part of the job.

Originally Posted by
F-Trooper05
All in all I'm incredibly happy with the class experience, and the guys there were some of the coolest dudes I've ever met, but it definitely showed me that LE guys shouldn't rely strictly on LE only training courses. I think that by doing this, you're only doing yourself a disservice. If you can afford $500 (and if you're a Fed, I know you can) than please consider taking an open enrollment class outside of something that your department or agency sends you to. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised and quickly humbled. And for those of you who are LE and already spend your own money on open enrollment courses, I tip my hat to you. You guys are way ahead of the curve.
In my experience the courses that are restricted to LE/mil are that way because the range is not open to the public and/or the curriculum includes TTP's that are restricted. Myself and several of my friends from work routinely attend open enrollment classes (Defoor, McNamara, Proctor, etc.) on our own dime (ammo, tuition, gas, lodging). We are also the same group who shoot local steel matches, IDPA, USPSA, build AR's and carry more than one gun. The rest aren't going to attend firearms training unless the agency pays. It's sad, but it's the world in which we live and work.
Before you suggest that licensing, background checks, or other restrictions for the 2nd Amendment are reasonable... Apply those same ideas to the 1st and 4th Amendments. Then tell me how reasonable they are.
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