ITFTS Course Review

[TacticalCompact]

Today we exist in a state of uncertainty. What will tomorrow bring? Between visions of the breakdown of the Soviet Union, and the more relevant evening news detailing the numerous ways innocent people are violated, one can be left weary. Not necessarily afraid, but aware... connected with reality in a way that most of civilization would prefer to hide from, denying it's mere existance.

My experience with people is that many, if not most, prefer to believe that bad things will not, or can not, happen to them. Kidnappings, rapes, murders -- these are the fates of other poor souls worlds apart from us. Right? Sorry, but no. All of the things that we read about in the news is real. It happens to everyday people just like you and me, and I don't intend to let myself, or my family, be an easy target. So what is my solution? Concealed Carry.

When I finally decided I was ready to purchase a handgun to carry on my person, I knew I was setting off on a quest for knowledge and training that would cost a lot of time and money. I just didn't quite realize how much it would take. First the gun, then the holsters, the belt, the ammo, the cleaning supplies, range fees, targets, ear protection, CCW classes and application fees, different sized firearms for different dress, the list is never-ending. For all of this expense, however, something was clearly lacking. Sure, I'd played paintball since 1987. I've put over 1000 rounds down range with my handgun and can rapid-fire COM with no misses using my sights in a controlled atmosphere. I'm light, have quick-reflexes, and my hand-eye coordination is top-notch. Still, that was just not enough to make me feel good about carrying this gun on my hip.

In comes Brownie. I came across a thread over on DC.com about the ITFTS in Flagstaff, AZ. The price was right. I live close. I read the reviews on this forum and was totally sold. Point-shooting will generate some much-heated arguments here and there between it's proponents and opponents. So, after a few months anticipation and with a semi-skeptical attitude after reading all the debate I showed up in Flagstaff with my wife. Within minutes we were on the firing line. Everything was set up and ready to go; there was not going to be any classroom BS in this course. We got to the training, and after the first day I had some incredible skills at the ready. These are real, down-on-the-streets survival skills. sure, maybe I could get a sharp-focus on the top edge of my front sight and hit a target at 200 yards with my handgun if I took some other training courses (no disrespect to those trainers intended), but that is not what I'm looking for.

These skills involved getting out of the holster and on target NOW. EU/ED and QK hip are about as fast and repeatably accurate a skill as you will ever need on the street. Forget about sight acquisition when a BG 15 feet away goes to pull a gun or knife. It's not gonna happen. I'm gonna get the gun out and fire from the hip with the confidence that I can hit multiple targets faster than I could get my sights in line on a single target with other methods. I won't get into all the skills taught, but they are all valuable. Brownie does a good job of teaching them with an upbeat and fun presentation. Through the entire course, those of us in attendance were having a blast. A single glance down the firing line at any time during the day would show a group of silly smiling shooters. We were standing in the wind and sun, all day long, shooting so much that our hands and bodies were hurting. But we wanted more.

Even my wife, who was about as inexperienced with firearms as they come, was quite impressive with her little Kahr MK9, almost immediately. Brownie was kind enough to devote some extra time and attention to her, and when he was done she was downright scary. I wouldn't want to be on the other end of her barrel any day. That is probably what impressed me the most. Regardless of your skill@arms, Brownie will do what it takes to make you competent with your gun.

After two days of sunburn and hard pounding from our guns, my wife and I returned home. Almost immediately, she was searching for the airsoft pistol. Right into the backyard, she is using QK to nail small key limes, rocks, dog toys, etc... amazing! These are not only life-saving skills, but they are fun to boot

I would recommend anyone carrying a firearm to take this class. Without this training you are giving up precious time when you are already behind the curve. Using these skills, along with your situational awareness and proper equipment, you will have the best chance of survival should you find yourself in such a situation. The price is more than reasonable. Brownie is awesome. Do it.

Here are a couple videos to watch. One is Lonnie, aka SGT443, and the other is my wife and I. Remember, we are not looking at our guns at all and we are MOVING. Watch as I move from one steel plate to the other, then back again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px4y0GwEUMI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s5IiA2BaZA

[Brownie]

Thanks for your thoughts on the ITFTS Flagstaff course last weekend Jesse.

It was a real pleasure to meet and train with you and your wife Tia. It's personally rewarding for me to take a shooter like your wife and bring them up to speed quickly so that their skills are equal to the task with a handgun should it ever arise in the future.

I corrected one of your vids, it was a still pic instead of that Utube vid you had put up over on DF.com.

Please tell your lovely wife I was asking for her, and you are absolutely correct when you state that "she was downright scary. I wouldn't want to be on the other end of her barrel any day"

If you could get Tia to write her own experience of that weekend under your logon name, that would really be appreciated as women seem to always have a different take on things presented in the course. Her comments and thoughts would be very interesting and from a womans perspective.

Stay safe, and thanks again for your thoughts.

[DocH]

TC,that's a good review,and Brownie is right about your wife's own thoughts. Better still,have her join the forum.
I know that my own wife would like to see her assessment of the course,also. Even after all these years with pistols she's getting more and more hyped about it every day. Oh... and welcome to the forum.

[David Williams]

Welcome aboard, TC. Excellent course review! I'm glad that you had such a positive experience.. Keeping an open mind often yields very great rewards; it's good to hear that both you and your wife were able to benefit. There's nothing quite like watching a relatively inexperienced shooter come on-line quickly and efficiently.

[TacticalCompact]

I'd also like to say that it was a real pleasure meeting you all. My wife, at first, was uncomfortable and expected a bunch of "red neck hicks" or some such, drinking beers and goofing off all weekend. It really helped put her at ease when that was not at all the case.

I'll see if I can talk her into joining the forum and making a post

[Brownie]

Jesse,

Even if Tia doesn't care to join the forum, I'd appreciate her writing her thoughts on the training under your handle here. Just preface the post that it's Tia writing her thoughts at the start.

I'm sure she would have a different perspective than us "guys". They always seem to "get there" from a different direction [ perspective ], and that can be a good thing in helping me tweak the class further if needed in any way for the fairer sex.

Tia, give it your best shot [ which in your case is right on the money if it mirrors your pistol shooting abilities ]

[TacticalCompact]

I've set up an account for her under the name "satyagraha." She should be making her post soon, stay tuned!

[Brownie]

The user name satyagraha should be "good to go" whenever Tia wants to post up Jesse

My inbox was full, but it's cleared up now. If you have any problems or questions, pm or email me.