Tactical Handgun 2
After my first trip in October of 2004, I knew I was coming back to Thunder Ranch. There was no doubt about that. The Texas trip had done a magnificent job of highlighting my deficiencies as a handgunner. (And there were many!) My tactical skills? Non-existent. It was an eye opening experience to say the least.
Scott on the left
and yours truly on the right.
Scott was the adjunct instructor for Class 52, TH2. Scott's a retired LEO and a nicer guy you'll never find. He is both patient and knowledgeable, two traits you'll find in any good instructor. Behind us is the "upper" trout pond.
The format for TH2 wasn't all that different from what I experienced in DHG1. What set it apart was the participants. Our class consisted of nine guys who had all been around the block, in some cases, several times. Yeah, even though this was only my second formal training experience, I apparently didn't slow down the group. Not much anyway.
The first day naturally began with introductions and Clint's wide ranging lecture on life, the state of humanity and the judicious use of lethal force. His lecture is both illuminating and sobering. He will get, and keep, your attention, guaranteed. Clint will give you much to think about and if you're not thinking by the end of the morning, you're one brain dead SOB.
Simplicity and logic are key features of Clint's approach to self defense. You'll hear the word "LOGIC" used many times during your three days at TR. No fancy "ninja" stuff here. Just solid, basic fundamentals. The kind of stuff that may keep you alive if you ever should find yourself in unfortunate circumstances.
After lunch, we assembled "up the hill" on the square range. Safety is vigorously emphasized. Unsafe practices are mightily frowned upon and it is made abundantly clear that unsafe gun handling will earn the offender an early trip home.
We began with dry firing exercises. Scott and Clint paced up and down the line while we clicked away under the bright blue Oregon sky. Apparently satisfied that we weren't going to "set ourselves on fire" we soon got the command to load 'em up. I had been practicing a great deal since my 2004 trip and I felt confident that I would perform well. It was a nice feeling. Remembering my experience under the hot Texas sun, I made a mental note to "shoot good, not fast." So when Scott gave the first "UP" command, I put the first round downrange right where I wanted it, nicely and neatly. Granted, the target was perhaps only 3 yards away at most, still trigger control is important and it was nice to see it happen. We shot from "low ready" for the most part that first day, but drawing and shooting from the holster was definitely part of the program. Practice, particularly dry fire practice, paid off handsomely.
It isn't long before we're moving while we're shooting. Side-to-side and backwards away from the target were the only options given. Proper footwork is emphasized. BIG step back with the strong side foot followed by a smaller step by the weakside foot. The feet never, ever cross. This method of moving reduces the odds of tripping over your own feet and allows the leading foot to detect trip hazards as you move. The key is to keep the upper body steady while the legs hopefully move ya out of trouble. Again, I strive to "shoot good, not fast." It's even more important while moving. Focus on that front sight!!!
We shut down for the day about 4:30. Time to head back to the Fremont Inn and supper, where everyone in the class is staying. The food is good and the service is good as well. After supper most of the class assembles out front where we discuss the day's events and other important subjects. One thing's for certain, this class is populated by an interesting bunch of guys.
Thursday Day Two
After another safety talk, Clint invites us into "Terminator 3", Thunder Ranch Oregon's simulator. Here we get a feel for lies ahead of us here in the winding stairways and dark doorways of The Terminator. Clint discusses proper cornering techniques and the use of a light in in reduced light conditions. Suddenly the lanyard on my Blackhawk Gladius doesn't seem like a such a hot idea. The "O" rings on the Streamlight lights are much better way to go. I made a note to update my Gladius with a rubber "O" ring as soon as I could. The "O" ring arrangement allows the light to hang off the support hand index finger which is preferable to a lanyard hanging off the thumb.
It's dark in the Terminator.
A good
light is absolutely essential. Clint greets you at the door
armed with a
dim green LED light of some kind. Here he gets the shooter
squared away and answers any last minute questions. The first
time through, our first obstacle is a closed door immediately on the
left. Of course, a guy just can't go busting through the door
into a room with God-knows-what on the other side. Using techniques
learned in my two trips to TR, I negotiated my way through the door and
into the room beyond. There were no hostiles in the first
room,
so that meant it was time to move to the adjoining room, safely of
course. As I edge around the door, target indicators are
noted
and I position my feet appropriately so I can lean into the room,
minimizing my exposure of course, and engage the hostile home invader.
The invader refuses to comply with verbal commands, the
threat is
there, so shooting is required. One shot COM from the 220
knocks
the threat off its magnetic feet. The Gladius light really
feels
good in my hands.
Here's the Terminator building
sitting off to the right of the
main range. The entrance can be seen on the right side of the building.
Only Clint knows what lurks inside.
During the 3 day course of TH2, each of us made a total of 5 runs through the Terminator. Each run was of course, different and was increasingly complex each time. I found that negotiating dark stairs while trying to maintain focus up and ahead was a whole new experience. The top of the staircase held many potential hiding spots for the "bad guys." Then too, attention must be paid to the technique used to handle the light and weapon. I prefer the Harries technique whenever possible as I feel it yields the most stable platform but it's tough on the shoulders after awhile. For a LH shooter it works well when approaching RH corners but if the shooters comes up on a LH corner, the light must be shifted to the RH side of the handgun to keep the light ahead of the gun as the corner is negotiated. (Unless you enjoy massive glare in your eyes) I go to a "modified" Harries when shifting the light to the RH side of the gun. Right handed shooters naturally will do the opposite.
"The best gunfight is the one you're not in." Clint, Scott and the class take a break.
Friday Day 3
While Clint guides one of us through a run in the Terminator, Scott mans the square range and works with the rest of the class. We continue with moving and shooting and shooting at moving targets. We start on the charger deck but unfortunately, it died after a few runs. We weren't able to resurrect it so it was time for some "long range" shooting. We lined up at about 20 yards to begin and we fired individually on our steel targets. (They can be seen in far background in the above picture.) The line would retreat 5 yards between shots. The man on the far right end would move as quickly as possible to the far left end and after settling into their preferred shooting position, would squeeze off a shot. Since they were always the last to fire, if they missed, it was quite obvious. Not that anyone would mention it if someone would miss. This shift n' shoot got tough after 30 yards or so. I dropped to prone here and hits came easier. I found though, that my trigger control still needed work. Step back outside of "normal" SD distances and faults in your technique will become readily apparent.
Day two and three were very similar in format. We worked on ground drills, the above described "shift and shoot" drill and malfunction drills. We shot anywhere from contact distance out to about 60 yards, where the sights on my Sigs can cover a small horse. We spent some time setting up malfunctions for our fellow students and then shifting to our right so we all got to shoot other types of handguns after clearing the malfunction of course. I am happy to report I did not catch any Glockborne illnesses.
The view from the range over to
Clint and Heidi's place.
While my first trip to Thunder Ranch obviously was a great experience, I believe this second trip topped it. I was better prepared for the trip, mainly because of what I learned on the first trip and the fact that I practiced what I learned. The smaller class size was a definite benefit as each drill could be run much more quickly and of course, the fact the class was comprised of experienced, safe shooters allowed for rapid progress. We got to run a variety of drills and run them repeatedly!
Then too, the weather during our three day was extraordinary. Every day was sunny and warm but not hot. When it did rain, it politely waited until we were done. The mountain scenery provided a gorgeous backdrop and made everything that much more enjoyable. And I believe the Oregon rocks on the range are softer than their Texas counterparts.
If you stay at the Fremont Inn, meals can be included with your lodging for a little bit more and they put on a good feed on Wednesday evening. Thursday evening, all are invited to Clint and Heidi's place for supper and a little comraderie. Talk to Clint nice and he might show you some very nice shootin' irons. The meal they provide is fantastic. Heidi made us some lasagna the night we were there and it was wonderful.
And of course, no account of Class 52's fabled adventures would be complete without mentioning the Pied Piper of TR, Jamie. He works for a large entertainment company that has a mouse for a mascot. He gets paid to play the bagpipes and he does play them well. It is a stirring experience to hear the Marine Corps hymn echoing in the mountains of Oregon's Outback especially when you've got a good piper working the pipes. Thanks Jamie!!!
Thanks to the other eight members of TH2 Class 52. You guys are the best.
And finally a big thanks goes out to Clint, Heidi and Scott. It's no wonder you guys get so much repeat business.
