Tactical Rifle/Carbine Class

[Pilgram]

Can anyone suggest a good tactical rifle/carbine training class? I'm planning to attend Front Sight's 4-day handgun class in June and note that they also offer rifle and shotgun classes.

Just wondering who else offers similar courses and whether anyone has had experience with them and how they might compare with Front Sight.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[taliv]

i think if you do a search in the tactics and strategy forum, you'll probably get a lot of useful info

also useful would be reading some of the "AAR"s on arfcom and m4c.

pat roger's AARs in particular are insightful, even enlightening.

 

[briansmithwins]

I did the front sight rifle into 4 day class a few years ago.

It was pretty good. There was a good mix of classroom a shooting. The idea seemed to be more learning and less 'how much ammo can we expend'.

I'd like to get back down there for a refresher soon. BSW

 

[Al Thompson]

Helps to let us know what you need/expect from a class and your geographic area.

 

[Pilgram]

I'm looking for an almost beginner training on the proper defensive use of rifles/carbines -- I'd prefer training offered in the West (any of the big square states would work for me).

I live way out in the sticks and am wanting some training on modern carbines/rifles as I've had some recent incidents that made me nervous. I own a Universal 30 cal carbine that I acquired 30 years ago that has sat unfired in the closet. Got it out the other day and realized I did not know a lot about this gun, much less how to use it effectively. There's lots better on market -- indeed an overwhelming amount of data on the forums and internet.

I guess could just buy something that looked and felt OK (several have caught my eye) and then just start shooting, but that seems inefficient, and arguably, irresponsible.

I don't anticipate the need to shoot anything 100+ yards away or shoot through anything. I don't hunt. There are a host of critters where I live (some dangerous, some not) -- bobcat (one killed and ate our cat), deer, elk, fox, coyote, big stray dogs, rabbits, turkeys, gophers, lion (lots to eat here) and bear have all cruised through our property -- but noise usually scares them away. Sheriff patrols and timely law enforcement response to a 911 call are non-existent as a practical matter. Neighbors are a long ways off, as well. No cell phone service.

I own a couple pistols -- Sig 229 and Browning Hi-Power -- but am looking for a rifle/carbine.

 

[briansmithwins]

I own a Universal 30 cal carbine that I acquired 30 years ago that has sat unfired in the closet. Got it out the other day and realized I did not know a lot about this gun, much less how to use it effectively. There's lots better on market -- indeed an overwhelming amount of data on the forums and internet.

A M1 Carbine is better than a pointy stick, to be sure.

As a starter, go out and shoot!

Zero your rifle, get to know how it performs. Go to a local practical rifle match. Even if you just watch, you'll learn. Ask questions, most people that shoot will be happy to talk your ear off about why they chose a specific rifle or optic.

Go over to ar15.com and look for the 'hometown' section. It's a great place to meet guys from your area, and the hometown forums have a lesser bunghole ratio than most of ar15com in general.

BSW

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Hi Pilgram,
I just took the 4 day practical rifle class at Frontsight. It was good but I think there are other places just as good if not better. I need to qualify this a bit. I have taken a fair bit of classes in pistol, rifle, shotgun elsewhere. I did learn things at Frontsight and enjoyed the experience but with my prior training, I found the class moved a bit slow (I'm not complaining about the round count as I am not concerned about the number of rounds I do or don't shoot). It is a great place to go if you are a total beginner as the pace would be fine. I should also add that I have their lifetime membership there so I will be back and look forward to the training.

I have taken a carbine class from Loui Awerbuck and it was awesome. If you can find him teaching a class near you, I'd reccomend him without hesitation. I've taken a number of his classes and really enjoy his teaching.

If you can't get an inexpensive certificate for Frontsight for the rifle class, the places I would consider are Gunsight in AZ (the facility started by Col. Jeff Cooper that really started high quality training for civilians) or Thunder Ranch in Oregon. I've had people I know well tell me many good things about these two facilities.

Also, don't discount a local class. Even though I am a lifetime member for Frontsight and the class was free, I probably spent about $500 between gas food and lodging. If you factor that into your budget, local classes start to look like a bargin.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with a 30 cal carbine if that's what you own. It's about the shottist, not the weapon.

 

[Gordon]

Louis Awerbuck + a zillion
ITTS + a million
Gunsite +1 but 5 days and pricey
Lots of other classes
Front site -1 (not into Ponzi schemes and they have a dismal safety record
Gabe Suarez

 

[Pilgram]

Thanks much for the advice and leads. I'll check them out.

I have been shooting every weekend now for a couple months in the back yard (one of the benefits of rural living). I still mostly suck, but the abandoned meth lab in a derelict trailer a couple miles down the road has motivated me (one of the drawbacks of rural living these days).

I also discovered that a less than pristine magazine in a 30 cal carbine turns it into a fancy club, which is not even up to a pointy stick. I've also discovered that ammo is also nearly impossible to find unless it's some former Eastern-block brand. I guess that's part of the fallout of Obamanation.

 

[Zak Smith]

I highly recommend the Tactical Response classes.

 

[wnycollector]

I've also discovered that ammo is also nearly impossible to find unless it's some former Eastern-block brand.

Follow the link below for some decent quality eastern block ammo.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=AP30FMJ110&groupid=86

I also discovered that a less than pristine magazine in a 30 cal carbine turns it into a fancy club

These mags should solve your mag issues. I would pick up half a dozen or so and see how that load in your M1.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=MM1C&groupid=4

 

[briansmithwins]

I've also discovered that ammo is also nearly impossible to find

The M1 Carbine was never issued in the quantities that the AK47 or M16 series was/is manufactured in. That caliber was also limited to that one weapon, unlike say 7.62 NATO, which saw the FAL and G3 (not to mention many, many GPMGs) adopted in that caliber by dozens of countries.

I'd count myself lucky to be finding ANY .30 cal carbine ammo that's affordable enough to shoot. BSW