Looking for carbine & handgun classes

[dsm2nr]

I've been looking around for beginner and advanced carbine and handgun classes. They seem to be few and far between. Can anyone point me in the direction for some of these? I'd like to take "gun fighting" classes. I don't currently compete, it is more for SHTF.

[bstrawse]

Don Larson teaches a 3 session defensive handgun training class - see http://mncarrypermit.com/ - he is "DonL" here on the forum.

I have taken DHT-1 and others have taken all three - they are well worth the time.

There are some other carbine classes going on around the twin cities - check the training forum
b

[UnaStamus]

There are some decent training opportunities around the state and region, but most are through training groups like Trident Concepts, TigerSwan, EAG Tactical, Magpul Dynamics, Vickers Tactical, Viking Tactics, etc etc etc. Beyond a certain point, you will have to accept that you may need to travel to get training. I have gone all over the US to take training. This year I will have gone to Bemidji MN, Black River Falls WI, and Scottsdale AZ. Next year I will be going to Moyock NC, Kingsville TX, and possibly Prescott AZ.

Look into taking local courses to start to develop your skills and capabilities. However, to get more advanced training you often need to go to the more elite training groups and academies. For those groups, travel is usually a necessity.
A good place to start is with The Defensive Edge (same as SLR15 rifles). Sully does his local firearms training out of the Princeton Gun Club.
http://www.thedefensiveedge.com/default.asp

There is a distinct difference between an operations and skills course and a fighting course. There is also a significant difference between a pistol fighting course and a carbine fighting course due to the different ways you will employ the weapons. Carbine courses need to be of a higher intensity, and they employ more needed gear. In the real high-speed courses, people will be wearing armor and/or full tactical gear.

[dsm2nr]

Thanks for the run down. I've tried contacting The Defensive Edge several times in different ways. They haven't answered their phone or emailed me back.

I've been looking for classes I might have to travel for and Vicker's and Front Sight look do-able. Hopefully classes don't fill up before I can get them scheduled. I'd love to take a Magpul class but 95% of their classes are for mil/leo and the other 5% have been full since probably a day after the schedule is posted.

[Terry]

Sully travels a lot for training, and may take a little buy before he gets back to you..

[UnaStamus]

Thanks for the run down. I've tried contacting The Defensive Edge several times in different ways. They haven't answered their phone or emailed me back.

I've been looking for classes I might have to travel for and Vicker's and Front Sight look do-able. Hopefully classes don't fill up before I can get them scheduled. I'd love to take a Magpul class but 95% of their classes are for mil/leo and the other 5% have been full since probably a day after the schedule is posted.

You basically gotta just keep on calling Sully a couple times a day every day until someone answers. Email doesn't seem to work.

I'm not gonna voice my issues with Front Sight. However, understand that if you're looking for a proper intensive gunfighting/combat course, the quality of instruction from Larry A Vickers, Viking Tactics, Jason Falla/RedBackOne, Magpul Dynamics, Trident Concepts, Ken Hackathorn, EAG Tactical, US Training Center, Gunsite, etc. are going to be worlds better than Front Sight. These HSLD courses have people who have the tip-of-the-spear knowledge and experience to bring you the best training.

[dsm2nr]

As far as Sully - understandable. I just wish I could find out if he was doing any classes locally this year. It would be a great help to me to not have to go out of state.

And I will keep looking at other places besides Front Sight. They're just so open with their schedule, they have tons of classes and don't appear to fill up all the time. I suppose that's a positive and a negative.

[Erik_Pakieser]

Here's my shameless plug -

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19240

Drop me a line if you have any questions, we'd love to have you in our classes.

[EJSG19]

I was very pleased with my experience here: http://www.aptacademy.com/courses.html

hell of a lot closer than Arizona/Nevada too