Advanced Squared - Day One

CCLSC recently secured some space to do some additional training over the next few months.  With limited local training available, CCLSC decided to work together with local oil company PCEC and our sponsor Tacti-Cool to pilot some advanced training.  Hence "Advanced Advanced" was born.

To participate, CCLSC members must have completed the Advanced Pistol class at Tacti-Cool and be able to demonstrate several key skills that will form the core of our training.  Proficiency in drawing from a holster, reloads, malfunctions and basics in rifle shooting.

Our first meet up focused on a basic review of qualification, shooting from behind a barrier on both the right and left hand sides, basic reloads, tactical reloads, cover versus concealment, follow up shots and multiple targets. Rifle drills included shooting from behind a barrier, follow up shots, optics/red dot sights, and multiple targets.

Shellie and Kanani running pistol drills.

Getting started with safety briefing and instructions for the next drill

Nicole shooting rifle.

Ali practicing the drill, while Kanani waits her turn.

Kanani shooting from behind a barrier.

Shellie working on her rifle drills with multiple targets.

Shellie working on her pistol drills -
shooting from behind a barrier.

Kanani waiting for "go ahead" from Matt.

Ali, shooting her pistol from behind the barrier.

Nicole, taking her target down from behind the barrier.

Kanani, peering out from behind the barrier and
taking her target down.

Ali, Nicole and Kanani enjoying themselves.

Matt giving reviewing rifle basics, while Flood oversees the instruction.

Kanani getting additional instructions for the drill.

Ali shooting rifle from behind the barrier.

Kanani shooting the rifle drill.

CCLSC getting ready to unload their rifles the "old fashioned way".

CCLSC arsenal.

A little downrange camera action.

Shellie and Nicole watch as Ali shoots her rifle drill with multiple targets.

That's so CCLSC!
From left to right: Ali, Matt, Shellie, Kanani, Flood and Nicole

Girls! Girls! Girls!

Welcome new members Julie and Lindsey!  CCLSC is growing and this week we had a record attendance with seven ladies, filling all three lanes at the range.  The Women's 101 ladies worked on their marksmanship while preparing for their last class in May.  In each of the women's classes that Tacti-Cool hosts quarterly, the last class is reserved for a "shoot out", where each student gets the chance to demonstrate their skills and the best score will win a pistol.

This week the advanced students had the opportunity to get some special instruction building on our draw from the holster.  Matt gave us a few new drills including moving while drawing from a holster, widening our peripheral vision by looking left and right for a threat, and "multitasking" while shooting.  Multitasking is noticing when our weapon is empty and the need to reload, not looking down when holstering our weapon and keeping our eyes open for additional threats.  Essentially, this means eliminating tunnel vision that often occurs when you are focused on the target in front of you.  As we discovered there is a lot to think about as we become more proficient with our basic skills.

Matt giving Shellie direction for the next drill.

Julie and Erin working on their marksmanship.

Heather introducing Lindsey to firearm safety and shooting. 

Shellie mentoring Erin and getting her acquainted with her M&P 9mm.

Julie working on her five spot target.

Ali practicing her drills.

Apparently Kanani is a "full body" talker.  She must have been on a roll to be that blurry!
CCLSC is a great way to spend a Monday evening!

What I learned this week is we want our movements to be as natural as possible.  Additionally, by shooting in different environments both at the range and outdoors, each poses a different situation where we can and need to adapt our shooting strategy.  This ultimately will simulate real world circumstances as it applies to defending one’s life. By taking the opportunity to train and practice we will become more efficient, even in times of extreme stress.  The muscle memory we establish, both good and bad will be what we rely on in an emergency, so train accordingly.

Fundamentals are the Foundation

Yesterday’s practice was another great learning opportunity for the Advanced Pistol ladies to reinforce our skills and receive some additional training.  I want to give Matt and Brian a big thank you for answering our questions, offering real world examples and giving us a few pointers.

Nicole getting the review of our last practice with Matt.

Ali shooting her Ruger one handed.

Kanani shooting her 1911 one handed.

Shellie working through the malfunction exercises.
A key skill that will work for any malfunction - Slap and Rack.

Kanani taking aim and showing us how
 to get through a malfunction quickly.

Ali shooting the M&P and racking the slide.

Brian, CEO of Tacti-Cool Guns & Gear, giving a real world example of a rifle malfunction.

Nicole finishing up her malfunction exercise.

CCLSC (from left to right) Shellie, Kanani, Nicole and Ali.

I will be the first to say it can be intimidating at CCLSC when there are skilled shooters practicing and you don’t think you’re good enough to join us.  But, the best part about CCLSC is that we are all still learning regardless of what level we are at.

Our local area is home to On The Firing Line with Matt and Joe.  On The Firing Line is a radio show that broadcasts live on Saturday’s on 1440 AM at 4:00 pm.  If you’re in the Santa Maria area you can tune in at 1440 AM and online at www.AM1440.com.  We discuss the latest news and politics in firearms around the country.

If you are on Facebook “like” their page and help us get to 100 likes.  I update the broadcasts weekly online so if you missed a show, you can access them through their Facebook page or You Tube by searching “On The Firing Line with Matt and Joe”.  Below is their latest broadcast from April 5, 2014.

Thank you all for your support and have a great rest of your week.

CCLSC Rocked the Range

Welcome new CCLSC members Erin and Jennifer!  Both ladies are first timers to practice and Women’s 101 students.  Thank you both for joining us last night!

I want to give a big thank you to Matt at the shop for helping us out and giving us advice for the Advanced Pistol students.   We learned the “why” of body position and creating a fluid movement when drawing from your holster.  Matt also covered reloading your weapon and the importance of having a full magazine.  The experience was incredibly valuable.  If you have already taken the advanced class it would have been a good review of your skills.  I don’t need to sell any of the ladies in attendance last night the value of CCLSC!

As a disclaimer, CCLSC was given special permission to practice the aforementioned advanced pistol skills.  Do not attempt outside of the guidance of Tacti-Cool staff.

Shellie showing new CCLSC member Erin her 9 mm and .22 M&P's.
Experienced shooters mentoring new shooters is one if the positive benefits of CCLSC.

Shellie taking aim with her newly acquired skill.
She showed us all who was boss - great shooting!

Those two shots at the center-top of the bulls eye, one is Matt's on the left and
in the SAME hole Shellie shot moments later.  Did I mention these were shot one handed?

Rarely does Kanani get a chance to "be in a photo" since she's one taking them most days.
Thanks Shellie for taking this weeks photos!

The 1911 - a classic choice for CCLSC.

Ali getting a few pointers from Matt.
Another benefit of CCLSC, getting some exclusive "tips from a pro" during practice.

Matt, giving us some pro tips for an efficient draw from a holster, low ready position and reloads.
Here, Ali is practicing from low ready and taking aim.

Ali working on her new skills.

That about does it for this week's training and practice.  CCLSC provides an exclusive experience for those who attend and we are only just building steam for better opportunities.