Posted: 11/12/2007 6:21:30 AM EDT
This is my 1st AAR so be kind!  I went to the Tiger Valley Level One Pistol Class this weekend. I thought I was a decent shooter when I arrived. I quickly realized that I still had plenty to learn and T.J. & Bruce were going to make sure we got it right! The class focuses on technique, with lots of repetitions, drills, and dry-fires. It moves from simple to more complex building on each exercise. I learned a lot about shooting techniques in general and even more about my own shooting skills and deficits. I believe that I am a better shooter because of this class and the things that I learned and will take away from it. I highly recommend this class to anyone with at least some shooting experience. Some things I learned that will make my next and possibly your next Tiger Valley trip a little more enjoyable... ALWAYS bring a back up weapon to use. Sadly there were a couple of folks in the class that were dealing with equipment issues. It didn't effect the class too much but it looked awfully frustrating for them!  Bring more Magazines! Tiger Valley suggests at least 3 magazines and pouches. I would double this, especially if you have a lower capacity magazine (7 - 10 rounds) There are some drills where you will run every mag dry! There is no such ting as too many mags!  Bring SUNSCREEN! (Thanks Bruce!) I neglected this and had a pretty good burn around my neck from the 1st day. Bruce had some SPF 35 stuff to keep me from burning my burn on the 2nd day.  Bring WATER, Snacks, etc... Even though it's November in Waco it was in the low 80's with a constant wind. Hydration was very important and definitely plays a role in your stamina! When we take a lunch break you have to drive a few miles to get any food. It was fast food from my understanding. I brought my food and snacks because I didn't want issues from a greasy spoon restaurant I've never been to. Bring a small 1st aid kit! Bruce introduced us to "moleskin". Several of us had rather chewed up hands by the end of the 2nd day. Anything to treat or cover blisters, trigger bites, and even bullet splatters! ( I got hit in the hand after one drill when a fragment came flying off the steel targets.) Ouch! Knee Pads! If you have knee issues...Bring knee pads PERIOD! There is one drill where we shoot prone...and falling on your knees to get prone is NOT fun. Equipment Be sure to "get to know" your equipment. I bought several new items for the class, and while I got to try them on at home, I never had a chance to deploy them before the class. Bruce was VERY helpful with some equipment suggestions and we made a modification of my holster that worked out very well for the class. Something to sit on. There is no place other than the ground to sit. Sometimes there are longer breaks where taking a load off for a few minutes will mean greater energy and stamina later in the day. Bringing a small chair or stool is a plus. Pickup tail gates work good too! Overall this was a GREAT experience for me and I am looking forward to the Dec. 8th Shotgun Class. T.J. is a class act and runs great operation. If have the opportunity to take this or any class at Tiger Valley...DO IT! |
Amen. That store down the road is good stuff. I have breakfast and lunch there every time. Breakfast is nothing special - but their burgers and onion rings are good to go. |
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first time poster and level 1 TV participant here... +1 on the first aid kit. I definitely could have used a few blister bandaids and some moleskin. 2K rounds in 2 days is a lot different than an IDPA match or 150 rounds at the range! wish TJ would schedule a Level 2 class soon. fantastic training experience. geoff |
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