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Defensive Handgun Training in Central/Southern Va?

R

Regular_Joe

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Joined
Aug 24, 2009
Messages
304
Location
Culpeper, Virginia, USA
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My wife and I would like to find some defensive handgun training in our local area.

I've corresponded with John Murphy (http://www.fpftraining.com), and his training looks good, but I carry via a Serpa CQC (and my wife carries with a Sig Serpa-like holster) and I want to train with what I routinely use; John doesn't allow Serpa's on his range.

Does anyone have any recommendations?
 
skidmark

skidmark

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Valhalla
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Contact the folks at Dominion Shooting Range in Richmond. http://www.dominionshootingrange.com/

Yeah, they really do frown on draw & shoot during open range time. They even try to keep folks out of one side when there is a DCJS class going on so the chances of a paying customer getting hurt are minimized.

But were you aware that they have several good instructors on staff and they are more than happy to schedule individual/small group training sessions?

Other than my range pass I have no connection to Dominion. I have attended training sessions with a couple of their instructors and sent a significant other there for training.

Frank Borelli http://www.borelliconsulting.com/works out of Fredericksburg and has a training company.

Ed can't spell but recommended these guys: http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum54/35846.html

Hope one of them works out for you.

stay safe.

skidmark
 
skidmark

skidmark

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ProShooter wrote:
skidmark wrote:
Yeah, they really do frown on draw & shoot during open range time. They even try to keep folks out of one side when there is a DCJS class going on so the chances of a paying customer getting hurt are minimized.
Click to expand...



That is hysterical, and soooo true.
Click to expand...
Speaking of which, which range do you use? If I knew I might have included you as a possible training resourse even if you do tend to wave that plastic squirtgun all over the place.:what::uhoh::cry::lol:
stay safe.

skidmark
 
ProShooter

ProShooter

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www.ProactiveShooters.com, Richmond, Va., , USA
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skidmark wrote:
ProShooter wrote:
skidmark wrote:
Yeah, they really do frown on draw & shoot during open range time. They even try to keep folks out of one side when there is a DCJS class going on so the chances of a paying customer getting hurt are minimized.
Click to expand...



That is hysterical, and soooo true.
Click to expand...
Speaking of which, which range do you use? If I knew I might have included you as a possible training resourse even if you do tend to wave that plastic squirtgun all over the place.:what::uhoh::cry::lol:
stay safe.

skidmark
Click to expand...
We use Dominion in Chesterfield. They do tend to frown upon the quick draw type actions there and I can understand that as it tends to be close quarters. Nonetheless, we do defensve handgun training within those parameters. My other instructor Donhas been getting rave reviews for his teaching abilities and our shooting lessons have really taken off lately as a result. Many things that you can teach about defensive handgunning are based on the student's mindset and even the strictest of ranges can't control that! The rest is all muscle memory and repetition.
 
skidmark

skidmark

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Keep in mind that Dominion also hosts the Monday evening practical shooting event. They drop the individual bay trays and everything takes place inside the wide-open bay.

Movement, draw & shoot on the move, shooting from positions other than standing square to the target.

You just have to find the way to be there a bit before 7 PM, and be willing to drop anything that might resemble pride as you learn that "slow is smooth and smnooth is fast."

stay safe.

skidmark
 
R

Regular_Joe

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2009
Messages
304
Location
Culpeper, Virginia, USA
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skidmark wrote:
Keep in mind that Dominion also hosts the Monday evening practical shooting event. They drop the individual bay trays and everything takes place inside the wide-open bay.

Movement, draw & shoot on the move, shooting from positions other than standing square to the target.

You just have to find the way to be there a bit before 7 PM, and be willing to drop anything that might resemble pride as you learn that "slow is smooth and smnooth is fast."

stay safe.

skidmark
Click to expand...
Dominion's Monday night Defensive Pistol sounds like a great introduction to more formal training:
[align=center]DEFENSIVE PISTOL [/align][align=center]Defensive pistol is quite simply the use of practical equipment to resolve self-defense simulations. Individuals partaking in Defensive Pistol scenarios are required to utilize practical handguns, holsters, and personal defense ammunition. No "Competitive only" equipment is allowed! The ability of the individual and not the equipment is the premise behind this style of shooting.[/align] [align=center]OUR PRINCIPLES[/align] [align=center]To promote safe and proficient use of firearms and related equipment for self-defense use.[/align] [align=center]To provide the individuals with practical and realistic courses of fire.[/align] [align=center]To offer the individual an opportunity to develop their concentration and shooting skills with the support of like-minded shooters.[/align] [align=center]EQUIPMENT REQUIRED[/align] [align=center]Standard stock service pistols, If you would not carry it to defend yourself you can't use it in defensive pistol.[/align] [align=center]It must be concealable, suitable for continuous wear and worn in the correct manner.[/align] [align=center]The Range Officer reserves the right to dismiss any participant not meeting these guidelines.[/align] [align=center]WHEN AND WHERE?[/align] [align=center]Every Monday night starting around 6:30pm. ~~~Standard range fees and ammunition still apply.[/align](Details @ http://www.dominionshootingrange.com)

 
230therapy

230therapy

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
Messages
279
Location
People's County of Fairfax
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Regular_Joe wrote:
My wife and I would like to find some defensive handgun training in our local area.

I've corresponded with John Murphy (http://www.fpftraining.com), and his training looks good, but I carry via a Serpa CQC (and my wife carries with a Sig Serpa-like holster) and I want to train with what I routinely use; John doesn't allow Serpa's on his range.

Does anyone have any recommendations?
Click to expand...
John doesn't allow Serpas because they promote dangerous situations in a training class. His classes are quite good and the price is very competitive.

He is running a skill builder 1-day course January 10, 2010 that will include force on force. You may want to look into it.

The Safariland ALS 6377 (and 6378) holster is a much better system and they make holsters for SIGs. The draw is far more natural because the hand lands in the "high thumb" position (as if you were working a 1911) and the thumb sweeps down to where it would normally rest. Lift the gun out when you feel the interference from the lever. The trigger finger has no work to do besides be a trigger finger. The ALS is no more or less concealable than the Serpa...they both stick out.

Furthermore, opticsplanet.com has Safariland ALS holsters for about $39 shipped! You may need to wait up to two weeks, but I found opticsplanet.com's service to be quite good.

Belt holster 6377:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/safariland-model-6377-selection.html

Paddle holster 6378:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/safariland-model-6378-selection.html

An alternative to the ALS is the DeSantis Chek-Mate. I didn't like this holster as much because the release lever is not in a natural location. There also was not enough leather between the body of the holster and the belt slots. This resulted in bunching on the belt. If you can get over these two problems, the Chek-Mate is actually quite nice because the outside is tan leather rather than black plastic.

http://www.desantisholster.com/storefrontB2CWEB/browse.do?action=refresh_browse&ctg_id=4222
 
R

Regular_Joe

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2009
Messages
304
Location
Culpeper, Virginia, USA
imported post

230therapy wrote:
Regular_Joe wrote:
My wife and I would like to find some defensive handgun training in our local area.

I've corresponded with John Murphy (http://www.fpftraining.com), and his training looks good, but I carry via a Serpa CQC (and my wife carries with a Sig Serpa-like holster) and I want to train with what I routinely use; John doesn't allow Serpa's on his range.

Does anyone have any recommendations?
Click to expand...
John doesn't allow Serpas because they promote dangerous situations in a training class. His classes are quite good and the price is very competitive.

He is running a skill builder 1-day course January 10, 2010 that will include force on force. You may want to look into it.

The Safariland ALS 6377 (and 6378) holster is a much better system and they make holsters for SIGs. The draw is far more natural because the hand lands in the "high thumb" position (as if you were working a 1911) and the thumb sweeps down to where it would normally rest. Lift the gun out when you feel the interference from the lever. The trigger finger has no work to do besides be a trigger finger. The ALS is no more or less concealable than the Serpa...they both stick out.

Furthermore, opticsplanet.com has Safariland ALS holsters for about $39 shipped! You may need to wait up to two weeks, but I found opticsplanet.com's service to be quite good.

Belt holster 6377:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/safariland-model-6377-selection.html

Paddle holster 6378:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/safariland-model-6378-selection.html

An alternative to the ALS is the DeSantis Chek-Mate. I didn't like this holster as much because the release lever is not in a natural location. There also was not enough leather between the body of the holster and the belt slots. This resulted in bunching on the belt. If you can get over these two problems, the Chek-Mate is actually quite nice because the outside is tan leather rather than black plastic.

http://www.desantisholster.com/storefrontB2CWEB/browse.do?action=refresh_browse&ctg_id=4222
Click to expand...
Thanks for the detailed options! I greatly respect John's opinion and really appreciate your suggestions, but after my initial investment ((guns+holsters+belts+CCW training)X2), my budget needs to build back up before I buy additional holsters!

I may look John up for future tactical rifle training, but for now I'd rather stick with the Serpa CQC, which does seem to be accepted on all other training environments I have found.
 
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