Posted: 5/20/2010 10:56:16 AM EDT
|
This has taken me a bit to get out, namely because I'm sort of an out-of-sight-out-of-mind kind of dude and also when I'm sitting at the computer, it's usually pornography or stolen media time so I sort of forget to write about stuff like this. You know how it goes.
Anyhow, I had arranged with Mr. Nizzari (ishoot2live) to go through a CCW renewal class. Fellow Nevada Hometown Forum member Gunmonkey had a few new pistols onto which he sought to add to his permit. Training started with an actual eight-hour classroom lecture in which Mr. Nizzari discussed with us the legal issues, ideology, doctrine and theory behind concealed carry as well as the laws in Nevada and the few other states which recognize our permits. The range class was different to any other shooting class I'd previously attended as it was actually you know, a class. Not simply an affair of “shoot 36 rounds at the target and we'll sign the thing fifty dollars please,” rather Mr. Nizzari took us through an actual defensive pistol course, training us on weapon anatomy and handling, reloading, press-checking and fighting pistol mindset. In particular, he drilled the reload > press-check > Gonzalez low-ready position > check behind > decock > holster order with every shooting exercise to the point where it became an almost entirely automatic process in both shooters. We were both drilled in shooting from positions we found uncomfortable or unfamiliar, for in a defensive shooting situation, you'll rarely get a chance to blade up into Modified Weaver and lock both elbows into their proper extensions then be able to take the time to carefully align sights and leisurely plug bullseyes. In all, the class was great and I learned more about pistoleering in the one class than I have in five years' worth of studying theory, reading books and watching training videos online. The fact that we had such a small class more than made up for the cost, which is considerably higher than if I were to go to a gun store or have the dude at Scheel's or Bass Pro run the course. This is the course I wish I'd been able to take five years ago when I first applied for my permit. For what my opinion on the subject's worth, Line of Fire's class comes highly recommended. I feel much more confident as a pistol shooter now than I did previously, feeling the pistol was merely a backup, a last-resort to be considered alongside your knife or flashlight while the shoulder arm is to be the proper fighting arm. Now, equipped with the knowledge and skills bestowed upon me by Line of Fire's course, I feel I'm a confident and capable pistoleer. |
|
As FLB mentioned, he bartered a deal to get himself some training and since I needed to add a couple handguns to my CCW, we found a timetable that worked for all of us. Joe is someone I consider a friend, but have never had a chance to actually get out and train with. I recently went through a course to receive my NRA certification as an instructor of Basic Handgun and Self Protection in the Home and I want to expose myself to as much instruction as I can before I take on what I consider to be the very serious business of teaching others.
The course of instruction was tailored to the abilities of the shooters involved, both of us being longtime shooters with several CCW and other various firearm classes in our backgrounds. After an informative class covering the standard legal stuff, state and local laws, and the ever present safety standards, we hit the range. Starting with safety, we moved into a sort of hybrid CCW/intermediate pistol class. Having been through half a dozen CCW classes already, some of the material was familiar. Based on our abilities and the training deal my buddy had arranged, we were given some great instruction that surpassed the usual CCW course of fire. Lots of skills that arent normally covered in a basic CCW course were taught and I learned more than a few things. It made for a long day and a lot of ammo, but when it was done, I was happy with myself, my gun, my scores (I could have done better, but thats why we train, right?) and overall with my experience. Joe did a great job tailoring his instruction to meet the needs of his students and I am sure that had we proven to be more or less capable than we had implied, he would have moved things in other directions. I have referred people to Line of Fire in the past based on positive reviews by friends who attended his course, but now that I have had instruction myself, I can share my own positive experience. |
|
Gentlemen,
Thank you for the positive feedback regarding your CCW/Intermediate Level training with Line of Fire, LLC. It was a pleasure to train with both of you. You both worked very hard in your training, and the fact that you came with open minds allowed you to easily assimilate the new (and old) skills that were presented. Most people are confident in their shooting and gun handling skills because they go to a range once in a while and put different bullets through the same hole, and that is fine. That type of shooting is usually accomplished with all the time in the world, in a climate controlled environment, from a static position with little or no stress and no hostilities. There is nothing wrong with that procedure, but it is not realistic training to prepare for a violent and traumatic encounter when carrying a firearm for self-defense. What needs to be realized is that when the human body and stress come together and the ’chemical cocktail’ of adrenaline is dumped into the central nervous system everything changes mentally and physically. That is why I instruct my courses with a certain level of induced stress, along with situational dry and live-fire drills, and malfunction clearance drills. Do I charge more than the others? Yes. Are my courses lengthy? Yes. Do my students have to work hard in order to pass successfully? Yes. This might sound a bit rigid to some, but it’s how I instruct and I will continue to train my students on those standards. I believe in giving my students more than they pay for, and I didn't start my business to load up classes on the cheap. I started it to provide my students with the best instruction for their training dollar so they can stay vertical, continuing to eat solid food, with no extra holes in them. That’s why every firearms training course I teach is limited to smaller classes, and they are very comprehensive both in the classroom and on the range. By dedicating myself to this business and instructional methodology, I feel that a more informed and competent student is produced, and you are both shining examples of that approach. I would like to once again thank you for your business and all of your hard work. I look forward to training with both of you again in the future. Be Safe. Sincerely, Joseph Nizzari Director of Training Operations Line of Fire, LLC Professional Firearms Training Group Handgun/CCW Training Division Las Vegas, NV (702) 242-8288 |