Defensive Arms Training in SoCal
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:21 pm
Yesterday, I attended the Civilian Arms Trainingprogram at the Prado Olympic Shooting Park in Chino California. Before finding C.A.T.S., I had two assumptions about quality defensive firearms training: 1) you have to travel out-of-state; and 2) you have to spend a lot of money. After spending the day with the instructors there, I found neither was true.
I picked up a $30 voucher for the course at a Crossroads of the West gunshow in Costa Mesa, but the normal price for first-time students is $90. Even return students only pay $60, unless they pick up the half-price voucher at a show. The other costs are a $15 range fee from Prado, 250 rounds of ammunition for Level I, and an optional $6 lunch.
The instructors were all 100% volunteers, and are chosen from the student body after completing advanced courses. Many are graduates of nationally-known firearms training centers; the instructors just believe that every American ought to receive quality, affordable firearms training. There was a certified armorer, a licensed medical staff member, and a 1:7 instructor-student ratio not including the armorer and medic.
We opened the day in Level I Defensive Pistol with a safety briefing and orientation. Then, we went through the day with:
> the five-count draw
> deliberate fire from 3 to 25 yards
> scanning to break tunnel vision
> shooting from bent knee
> reloading drills
> immediate action drills
> tactical "duck" walk
> controlled pairs, accelerated pairs
> triple press
> barricade drill against multiple targets
All this culminated in an urban conflict drill which asked us to use all the skills we learned throughout the day. And... I didn't shoot the 'hostage'! We went back for a debrief and left a fulfilling and challenging day of instruction. If I paid $250 dollars, I wouldn't have expected more. I'll be back to take Level I again, as many students do - I just cannot wrap my mind around mag swaps!
On the plus side, Chris wrote up an in-depth look at the difference between controlled pairs and the infamous double-tap, which I never understood until I took this course. On the line, my hands up and weapon holstered, all I remember is him yelling "THREAT!" over the bullhorn, and then I was scanning for threats. When he orderd us to holster and cleared the line for taping targets, I saw I'd put two in the upper "A" and one right between the eyes, I couldn't help smiling. Talk about a moment of, "DID I DO THAT?!?" What a rush!
I picked up a $30 voucher for the course at a Crossroads of the West gunshow in Costa Mesa, but the normal price for first-time students is $90. Even return students only pay $60, unless they pick up the half-price voucher at a show. The other costs are a $15 range fee from Prado, 250 rounds of ammunition for Level I, and an optional $6 lunch.
The instructors were all 100% volunteers, and are chosen from the student body after completing advanced courses. Many are graduates of nationally-known firearms training centers; the instructors just believe that every American ought to receive quality, affordable firearms training. There was a certified armorer, a licensed medical staff member, and a 1:7 instructor-student ratio not including the armorer and medic.
We opened the day in Level I Defensive Pistol with a safety briefing and orientation. Then, we went through the day with:
> the five-count draw
> deliberate fire from 3 to 25 yards
> scanning to break tunnel vision
> shooting from bent knee
> reloading drills
> immediate action drills
> tactical "duck" walk
> controlled pairs, accelerated pairs
> triple press
> barricade drill against multiple targets
All this culminated in an urban conflict drill which asked us to use all the skills we learned throughout the day. And... I didn't shoot the 'hostage'! We went back for a debrief and left a fulfilling and challenging day of instruction. If I paid $250 dollars, I wouldn't have expected more. I'll be back to take Level I again, as many students do - I just cannot wrap my mind around mag swaps!
On the plus side, Chris wrote up an in-depth look at the difference between controlled pairs and the infamous double-tap, which I never understood until I took this course. On the line, my hands up and weapon holstered, all I remember is him yelling "THREAT!" over the bullhorn, and then I was scanning for threats. When he orderd us to holster and cleared the line for taping targets, I saw I'd put two in the upper "A" and one right between the eyes, I couldn't help smiling. Talk about a moment of, "DID I DO THAT?!?" What a rush!
