Course Gear?

[hunt_ak]

I'm taking Jason Falla's 2-day pistol course in October and was wondering what was needed for 'appropriate range attire'. I see many AARs showing folks in pseudo-military garb and I own nothing of the sort. What are 'real people' using for gear such as this? I'm taking the class with a G22 and would also like a recommendation on a good double mag holder/pouch. I was also just going to use my Serpa....any reason not to?

[rob_s]

Attire would be such that is suitable for the outdoors and the weather expected on the dates of the class. Cargo pants/shorts are handy just to toss extra things in.

Believe it or not with an October class you're going to be limited to certain choices due to the lead time. Do you carry every day? if so, I would try to mimic how you carry every day as close as possible.

[C4IGrant]

I'm taking Jason Falla's 2-day pistol course in October and was wondering what was needed for 'appropriate range attire'. I see many AARs showing folks in pseudo-military garb and I own nothing of the sort. What are 'real people' using for gear such as this? I'm taking the class with a G22 and would also like a recommendation on a good double mag holder/pouch. I was also just going to use my Serpa....any reason not to?

Dress as you normally would when carrying your gun (train as you will fight). If anything, get some cargo pants (which will just allow you to store mags and such).

Check weather for rain. If so bring two pair of shoes and extra layers so you can get out of wet stuff.

For mag pouches, I like Raven Concealment.

Many instructors have banned Serpa holsters, so I would suggest getting something better.


C4

[Eric]

I've seen guys show up in shorts, just to find that when they get into positional shooting, their knees get beat up. Of course, knee pads are a good idea.

[Hmac]

Wear whatever you're comfortable in. As long as you have a folding knife with a clip in your weak-hand pocket, you'll be cool enough for school.

I've seen guys at training courses all the way from full-on SWAT gear and armor to shorts and a T-shirt. I usually wear some kind of cheap cargo pants and a polyester fishing shirt along with some kind of baseball-style hat for sweat and sun. Many shooting ranges have a kind of parabolic bowl-like effect that increases the ground-level temperature, so sun protection and cool clothing that handles sweat are important considerations for me. Bug protection too.

Magazine pouches...I have come to really like a couple of double mag pouches with Stingray loops from Blade-Tech.

[Backstop]

This is what I do, and it may help you.

Write Jasson Falla and ask him how many magazines you need to have on your body. That will let you know how many mag pouches you'll need.

Ask him if there is any equip/gear he recommends, and that he does not allow folks to use.

And if these aren't already asked, I'll ask other questions like how many rounds, nearest hotel, best local food, etc.

As far as attire and gear, I wear my everyday clothes, and use my everyday CHL gear: VM2 and G&G mag pouches. Or sometimes I'll use Sidearmor or RCS gear.

[theblackknight]

Wear whatever you're comfortable in. As long as you have a folding knife with a clip in your weak-hand pocket, you'll be cool enough for school.

I've seen guys at training courses all the way from full-on SWAT gear and armor to shorts and a T-shirt. I usually wear some kind of cheap cargo pants and a polyester fishing shirt along with some kind of baseball-style hat for sweat and sun. Many shooting ranges have a kind of parabolic bowl-like effect that increases the ground-level temperature, so sun protection and cool clothing that handles sweat are important considerations for me. Bug protection too.

Magazine pouches...I have come to really like a couple of double mag pouches with Stingray loops from Blade-Tech.

QFT!!! I wear one of those Columbia fishing shirts cause its durable, light color, and the ventilation is rocken. Check the clearance rack at Dick's.

[hunt_ak]

Do you carry every day? if so, I would try to mimic how you carry every day as close as possible.

I carry IWB....

Dress as you normally would when carrying your gun (train as you will fight). If anything, get some cargo pants (which will just allow you to store mags and such).

Check weather for rain. If so bring two pair of shoes and extra layers so you can get out of wet stuff.

For mag pouches, I like Raven Concealment.

Many instructors have banned Serpa holsters, so I would suggest getting something better.


C4

Thanks, Grant. All I have for OWB is a LH Serpa, so I may bring that just for backup. I've heard good about the Raven stuff, I'll check it out.

Magazine pouches...I have come to really like a couple of double mag pouches with Stingray loops from Blade-Tech.

I'll look at those too!

My wife is taking the class as well. She also has a Serpa that I was just going to have her run since she hasn't decided on a carry holster yet. Would this suffice with another backup? I don't wanna spend the coin on a holster if she hasn't decided on what carry she is going to land on yet...

[Hmac]

QFT!!! I wear one of those Columbia fishing shirts cause its durable, light color, and the ventilation is rocken. Check the clearance rack at Dick's.

Yes...Those Columbia shirts. They work great, don't hold moisture, really durable.

I'll look at those too!

My wife is taking the class as well. She also has a Serpa that I was just going to have her run since she hasn't decided on a carry holster yet. Would this suffice with another backup? I don't wanna spend the coin on a holster if she hasn't decided on what carry she is going to land on yet...

I think the Serpa will work fine for you. I mostly train with cops so I see a lot of those at these courses.

My preference has been Blade-Tech holsters with the drop-offset (DOH). The gun falls naturally to hand. My wife uses the same rig for her PPS. She's pretty slim and it works really well for her.

[Dave-HuldraArms]

Good advice here so far. After going to classes I have started to pack all sorts of stuff in my range bag that comes in handy. Ear pro is a good investment, meaning a nice electronic type that you can hear the instructor with out having to take in and out plugs. Don't forget extra batteries too. Like Hmac said, sun and weather stuff is always great to have. I also keep a small travel size thing of wipes in my bag, some ranges don't have water and being able to clean my hands before eating a snack or lunch is nice.

As far as gear I have previously used Serpas like most LE. I have since moved on to different holsters that I feel are better. Its not that I think they are a bad holster, but I have seen more people try to "press" the release with their trigger finger rather then slide their finger across it as it was designed. Bladetech, Safariland, Raven, etc and there are many more are quality holsters that offer retention and are not a whole lot more money.

Last, bring and buy as many mags as you can. It is great to have mags pre loaded so you can take breaks as break and not have to reload mags all the time.

Have fun at training!
Dave