I recently took Day 2 of Stone Cobra's Basic/Intermediate Handgun Course. I was unable to attend Day 1 due to time constraints and other factors. However, in Day 1 there were a mixed group of shooters including a female that had never fired a firearm before.

Nice write up IP. I had hoped to take their Combat Medic course in February, but logistical considerations just didn't make it a possibility.

I've always considered civilian defensive shooting to be anything inside 7 yards (21 feet) due to legality and expectations by prosecutors when it comes to fight or flee. This was actually backed up in a concealed weapons permit course taken while in FL several years ago. What distances did you train at in this class? It looks like 7, 10, and 15?

I can almost hear the macho callings of the internet Rambos now about 'I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.' and 'I'll keep shooting as long as they keep shooting, no matter how far the distance.' Funny thing is, shooting at 10 yards and beyond while 'hopefully' moving tends to be a waste of ammunition and a spray and pray at most. I was taught to shoot while pulling back Clint Smith style if possible. Once clear of at least 21 feet, readdress the situation or just turn and flee. People tend to forget that this isn't combat, it's defensive pistol. The cone of aggression starts at 7 yards and is elevated depending on visible weapon and speed of the aggressor. Many a prosecutor will try to charge a defensive shooter if they pulled and fired at longer ranges because the 'imminent threat to life' litmus test wasn't satisfied. In most cases, they are probably right unless the aggressor is some marksman or is shooting Ethron's PASS.

Also, how many magazines (rounds) did they have you load up at a time? Internet Rambos that think 'defensive' pistol includes long range skill probably haven't thought through their ammunition supply. It's interesting to talk to people at the range standing with full concentration plugging 9 and 10 rings at 15 yards or more and then equivocate that to, 'That would have killed him.' Well, yes, it would if the guy was stationary, out in the open, made of paper, and wasn't shooting back. That's where these courses are so valuable. Scoot and shoot is the real way to determine how well one will do in defensive pistol situations.

From our conversations, I know what your motivations were for taking the course. Were you surprised by anything you learned? That is another benefit of taking courses from several different instructors. Styles vs styles; methods vs methods.

When you come to VA in June, we ought to make a trip down to Moyock, NC for some fun at Blackwater. Sorry I missed all the fun on this one!

BTW, you hit on that chick, didn't you?

Here ya go:

IP,

See if you can get me as much info as you canabout military classes and training that can be provided for 12 SF guys on M9 and M4. We're always looking for a new shooting school to go to. Unfortunantly I can't go back to Mid-South since I went in 08 group won't send me again. Thanks.

For a military contract these guys would travel. I that by your flash that you guys are stationed at Ft. Campbell. What information would you like? I can give you the lead instructor's phone number and someone from your unit can talk to him. Besides, he'll probably be checking out this thread since I sent him a link. I did forget to put his website link in my original post and it was my intention. All of his contact information is on their website.

Looks like some fun. I'd love to take some classes. I'll need to find something closer to the LA/MS area though. Thanks for the info and pics.

Thanks for the write up IP! It was great having you in the class. I got the pictures and must say for being cold wet and miserable, I am surprised they came out as good as they did. I will be emailing you later this week or early next week to discuss more of what we were talking about.

As far as training, we will come to where ever you are as long as you have a range available. Just let me know when and where and how many students so I know how many instructors to bring.

Again, great write up IP and thank you for attending!

Don't forget Stone Cobra, you took the pictures. Not bad for a 90 dollar camera that I stole from my wife for the day.

I think my trigger reset was off on a few shots, I ended up jerking the trigger!

How many times must you have to stress trigger reset? I could tell that most of those shots were sighted pairs but a couple of them did look like hammered pairs. That is probably where you jerked the trigger.