Debrief - Combat Focus Shooting Class

[Duane J]

Class was held on the 8th and 9th of this month at Bills' gun shop and range in robinsdale. Class cost was $450, consumed roughly 1k rounds of ammo. Class was taught by Rob Pincus of ICE training, http://www.icetraining.us. Class size was small (due to either days of the week or the RNC) which made it very easy for the instructor to stay very focued on personalizing the class and isolating on students for more rapid improvement.

The class covered realistic effects of a critical incident, how to train with these effects, and the theory and basis for this methodology. Using a building block method of drills, students progressed from simple concepts into more advanced and realistic drills. I found all of the shooting drills to be very fun on top of the great learning value. It was nearly all drawn from holster, defensive distance shooting. While focusing on keeping every drill in context and as realistice as possible students are pushed to find their limits in balancing speed and precision. Roughly 85 or 90% of this class was spend on the range. Pretty much all of the contect of this class was extremely eye opening and it immediately becomes apparent how vital this information is for defensive shooting.

As far as equipment goes, based on a delayed shipment of ammo for my XD.45, I bought up some 9mm and brought a PT111. I knew going into it that it wasn't going to be the easiest on to keep on target with a long double action style pull and short sight radius but went for it anyways. I used a don hume open top belt holster (715 I think), along with a don hume double mag carrier. The other students in the class were all using 1911's of various styles and had mixed results as far as reliability goes. The PT111, to my surprise, lasted the entire class with 0 malfunctions. Due to the large size of my hand, I did find that gripping too tightly would accidentally drop the mag, which wouldn't leave the firearm but merely drop into my hand. The first few times it happened I treated it as a malfunction until I determined what was happening. This little bugger was hard to keep on the mark though (see next paragraph). My hand also took quite the abuse. Although it's a smooth firing weapon, and is very great to shoot at the range on a regular practice day, 1k rounds though it in two days is brutal. While at lunch on day two I could literally see the checkering of the backstrap in my palm, every dimple.

After day two, when I tore the PT111 down for cleaning I discovered the front sight was loose more than a negligable amount. They are screw mounted so I was able to take it off, clean up the screw, and remount it with some fresh locktite to correct it. This would explain why it seemed like I was chasing my shots all over the place though and as I look back knowing the site was loose it's easy to pick out when it was moving and when it wasn't. Lesson learned. I still don't regret taking it though, I surely proved it's reliable.

All in all, this is easily the most eye opening training I've ever taken. Military, civilian, or LE. The theories behind it are based on real data, real incidents, and make sense. Rob is fantastic in his delivery of the information. It is engaging, interesting, and every bit of information feels as fresh and important as the first bit. None of the information or drills were boring or disconnecting, I found I was waiting to hear "RELOAD", so that we could move on and find out what the next drill was gonna be.

This is one training I'd highly recommend everyone interested in defensive carry take. It is truely a one of a kind. I'm going to try to get another setup for early next year possibly, so keep an eye open for it.

[cmj685]

Hey Duane,
Thanks a ton for the review! Hopefully Ron and others who may have attended will also chime in. When the price is as high as this, we need to be sure from multiple sources that it is outstanding.
Was that, by any chance, my old PT 111 that you used for the class?

[TC95GT]

Good review. I really wanted to go to this. I was on the phone Monday morning trying to get my schedule freed up but it wasn't going to happen. Hopefully you can get another one set up soon.

[Duane J]

Good review. I really wanted to go to this. I was on the phone Monday morning trying to get my schedule freed up but it wasn't going to happen. Hopefully you can get another one set up soon.

I'll certainly be working on it. I'll make sure all development are posted here.

[westberg]

I'm still trying to digest this class and that's a good thing, I would take this class again in a heartbeat. I included the link to another written review done by fast351 from a course earlier in the year because I think he did a great job in describing the course material. Between what Duane and fast have to say about the class pretty well covers it and I don't think I could add a whole lot more. viewtopic.php?f=52&t=3365&p=35411#p35411 The class fast351 took was three days, ours was two days.
The performance targets are as described, from a startled position, side stepping, drawning from the holster to high ready and punching out your arms to full extension and keeping your shots within the discribed target area. If your making one hole your going to slow and if your missing the target your going to fast. There is no tests, quals or atta boys in this course, if you need to be told your doing a good job to feel your getting your monies worth this may not be the course for you. Rob knows his matrial and presents it well, you have no problem understanding what he expects. I did have a problem understanding his right and left commands, but that was because I had not downloaded the New Jersey accent decoder into my Pro Ear muffs.

We will be carrying Rob's book and CD on our website if your interested in learning more about his teaching style and methods.

In defense of my 1911 I had over two days two failures to go into battery due to me riding the slide...

[Duane J]

In defense of my 1911 I had over two days two failures to go into battery due to me riding the slide...

I think yours was the reliable one. That little kimber something else entirely.

Could we get a link for you site??

[westberg]

In defense of my 1911 I had over two days two failures to go into battery due to me riding the slide...

I think yours was the reliable one. That little kimber something else entirely.

Could we get a link for you site??

Sorry Duane, I did mean to thank you for your effort in putting this class together. Our website is in my signature but here is the link http://www.unholstered.com

Man I could feel your pain in shooting that gun, hope the hand is doing better......

[Duane J]

In defense of my 1911 I had over two days two failures to go into battery due to me riding the slide...

I think yours was the reliable one. That little kimber something else entirely.

Could we get a link for you site??

Sorry Duane, I did mean to thank you for your effort in putting this class together. Our website is in my signature but here is the link http://www.unholstered.com

Man I could feel your pain in shooting that gun, hope the hand is doing better......

Well, as far as my effort, it was a pleasure. Meeting some new guys intent on furthering their training, and getting some myself is always a great time. I'm really looking forward to doing it again and possibly seeing some of your family at the next one.

The hand is doing better today, hurt something wicked last night though. The site is fixed so I've gotta get back to the range and see that I'm not still chasing with it, but it should be good to go.

I'm off to go check out your site.

[gunnerbmg]

Thanks to Duane and Ron for their very well done reviews of the Combat Focus Shooting class we all attended On Monday and Tuesday. I was very satisfied with my decision to invest the time and resources to make it to Rob’s class. As an instructor he is to the point and I really appreciated the personal attention I got. He saw my weaknesses and helped me to move forward. The content of the class is spot on, real world, and is focused on training that counts in a defensive situation. Rob may very well be to the defensive shooting arena, what Bruce Lee was to the Martial Arts community in the 70’s.

I am hoping to be able to train with him again. I also enjoyed my training partners in the class, thanks guys!

[hammAR]

I hope that he fares better.......................

[Rob Pincus]

Me too... at least in terms of lifespan!

All,

Thanks MUCH for the thorough reviews. It is always good to know that the course and information is appreciated. As noted, the small size of the class allowed us to cover a lot of ground. The facility was also convenient, in that we could get from range to classroom with out much fuss and they literally let us lock the door to the range and do what we needed to do.

For those interested, we have a course scheduled just outside of Sioux Falls, SD in a couple of weeks. Email/PM or check out the website for more information.

I just finished another 3 days in MN, this time up in Hibbing. We did 2 days of CFS and 1 day of Carbine... great students and great facilities... the weather wasn't so great, but the training attitudes more than made up for it.

I look forward to seeing the students again at a future class in the Twin Cities area or elsewhere in MN.

-RJP