Shot the FATS simulator at The (Vegas) Gun Store

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The TAG Expo was postponed, but we were already prepped to go to Vegas, so we decided to go to The Gun Store* and shoot their FATS simulator. $30 for 10 scenarios, and I think we got it cheaper because we also bought ammo and range time. They supplied a big revolver and ammo for the FATS.

In once scenario I drilled a guy who was reaching for--well, something in his back pocket. "What was he reaching for?" the operator asked. "A weapon of some sort," I replied, knowing that of course there was a gun. But because I hadn't seen it, I was "out of policy," as my wife would say. Which drove home just how fast things can happen. "You mean I only have that fraction of a second between seeing the gun and getting shot? Dang."

It was enlightening, to say the least. And I don't think you can beat the price (as a civilian, anyway). I recommend it as part of a well-rounded training regime.


*That place turned into a zoo by midday--all the tourists coming in to shoot the full-auto stuff. We got in and out just in time.
 
Smooth, ain't it??

The FATS system rocks! I went through training and shot the guy reaching for his pocket, too. I saw the hand go to the pocket, and started screaming at the screen. (Amazing how after the first two scenarios, you REALLY start to get into it.)

The hand started to move, and the guy grew two rounds of .45 ball, center mass. Perfect double tap.

When I figured the shoot was bad, I heard a loud, "Oops!!" from the other guys at the simulator. It sure opened my eyes.

Did you get the one with the gangbangers in the Impala? Scary.
 
No Impala, but the one I really blew was coming up on a truck with a camper shell. My video partner yelled "Gun!" and the door flew up, but because it was so dark, it looked like a big black dog (and I recall that my wife "shot" a BG for stabbing a K9 and got gigged for it)--until the "dog" stuck a shotgun out and blasted me.

The major disadvantage was using their revolver: When I was out, I was out. Which didn't mean that I wasn't clicking empty chambers on the BGs.

We didn't verbalize, but I did notice some "training lock," in that my buddy and I just stood there and shot (and got shot) without even thinking to move around, or take cover (should have asked!). Something to work on.
 
That is a fun system, I have used in a bunch of times over my decade in po-po work.
Things happen very fast and indeed I have shot some people I shouldn't have in the FATS room.

I wish everyone who carrys a weapon for defense had a chance to use such a machine, the time on it is invaluable.
 
I've used the Army's FATS course a few times down at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod. Those scenarios are purely military and you shoot everything that moves. Loads of fun, but useless for shoot/no shoot scenarios.
 
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