Academy Class
This class is the heart of our curriculum!
Not an NRA Class!

Basic/Intermediate Pistol, Personal & Home Defense
(CCW Training)
for Colorado, Utah, & Florida
Course Information & Outline.

We use Microsoft "PowerPoint"® & DVD Presentations with a high end digital projector for large screen Video to add visual clarity & interest!

Class dates: 7:00 P.M.
Sept. 11
With a 4 student minimum we will start a class anytime!

Welcome to Blue Mesa Shooting Academy & our “Practical Pistol, Home and Personal Defense Class.” A carefully developed shooting course consisting of practical pistol shooting theory & practice, this class is designed primarily for beginning & intermediate students. Every effort is made to provide a comfortable learning environment & experience for everyone, especially the ladies. It is fun, informative, and practical. Colorado gun laws as well as self defense tactics, awareness, and preparedness are covered. We cover such topics as mind set, shooting techniques, skill, weapon presentation, carry techniques, & home defense, but, and just as important, we will spend a significant amount of time on when to shoot and when not to shoot. The class will consist of approximately 30 actual hours of training, will be enjoyable and informative, but strict emphasis will be placed on safety at all times. An inexpensive textbook & flashlight will be required for the class, which we will have available for purchase. Class tuition is $225. per student. Instructor is NRA certified & course completion exceeds the training requirements for your Colorado & Florida CCW permit. This is not an official NRA course. This course consists of 30 hours of training, while the official NRA course lasts approximately 18 hours. Our final range session will introduce students to "Real Life Scenario" Tactical Shooting Situations & night shooting. We cover many topics not listed here.

To the best of our knowledge, we are the only active shooting school in Western Colorado featuring an instructor who has graduated from
"Gunsite Training Academy's "350" Intermediate Pistol Course."

Four very important (Gunsite Rules) which we subscribe to very religiously are:

1. Always treat all guns as if they are loaded.
2. Never point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
4. Always be certain of your target & surroundings!

All firearms are to be brought to class unloaded and are to remain that way. (We use only dummy ammunition in the classroom.) Classes will run approximately 2-3 hours each and will meet one night per week for a total of 8 weeks. There will be 3 range sessions on weekends lasting for approximately 2 to 4 hours each, one of which will include a night shoot. Students will need to supply their own firearm, holster, gun belt, additional magazines (or speed loaders), and ammunition. (Loaner equipment is available.) We can special order quality practice, as well as self defense ammunition, tactical flashlights, and accessories at reasonable prices. We have made arrangements with Colorado West Tool Sport & Pawn to special order guns at competitive prices should you need a new firearm. Kimber fans should check with Jerry's Outdoor Sports 507 30 Rd. Grand Junction, CO 81504 (970) 245-1502.

Topics to be covered & Tentative Schedule are Outlined Below. (This is a representative sample only. Actual classes are much more detailed & cover many more topics.)

Session 1
Introductions and orientation.
Short Video giving an example of why concealed carry is beneficial
Introduction to mind set
Discussion of "Predators"
General discussion of various concealed carry scenarios
Firearm storage

Session 2

Mind set discussions (additional)
Introduction to color code awareness system
Video “Col. Jeff Cooper's color code awareness system”
Introduction to drawing techniques
1,2,3,4,5 presentation & follow through
Use of Front Site
Trigger Control
Draw Practice

Session 3

Review and elaboration of color code system
Video "Principles of Home Defense"
Discussion of various gun types, sizes & caliber, for different uses, concerns and requirements.
Discussion of various modern materials used in gun manufacture - blued steel, stainless steel, aluminum, polymer, titanium & scandium
Single action vs. double action weapons
Pistol
Revolver - use only in double action mode for self defense
Trigger Control, Use of Front Sight, Press Check
Draw Practice

Session 4
Discussion of various types of holsters, (cross draw, strong side, SOB [small of back] etc.) different materials - leather, horsehide, sharkskin, snakeskin, & cant vs. straight. Custom, (stronger/more expensive) re-enforced top, color (black, brown, tan) - choose as carefully as you choose your gun
Discussion "Revert to Training"
Emphasis on using front sight & sight alignment
Discussion of “cover vs. concealment”
Action vs. Reaction
Draw Practice & Trigger Control

Session 5
Discussion of different bullet types for different requirements objectives
Some hollow points tend to clog up on clothing and do not expand properly
Pass around samples of various bullet types
Trigger control & practice
Limp Wristing
Double taps/hammers
Malfunction Clearing - Tap, Rack, Bang - Jams - Stovepipe Clearing
Draw practice (Begin using whistle with no counting)

Session 6
Proper use of flashlights
Tactical reloading
Speed reloading
Revolver reloading (Normal & using speed loaders)
Discussion of “letting gun run dry”
Pivot Shooting 90 Degree Left & Right, 180 Degrees
Shooting from kneeling positions
Shooting from prone positions
Malfunction Clearing Practice
Draw practice

Session 7

CCW class. This might very well be the heart of the course. It will take the entire evening and probably run late. We will provide various handouts, have extensive class discussions of our PowerPoint Video Presentation & two video presentations. (Shoot/don't shoot scenarios) Colorado gun laws will be covered.

Session 8

Discussion of differences between N.D. & A.D.
Discussion of various hostage situations - Shoot don’t shoot scenarios
Introduction to room clearing techniques/ Never try alone!
Cutting the pie
Do not rub against wall
Levels (up and down)
Practice one student at a time
Draw practice - Use Video Simulation

Range Session 1

We run a hot range. Magazines may be loaded at this point, but no rounds are to be chambered without direct supervision of instructors or designated assistants. Revolvers are to remain unloaded until told otherwise. Emphasis on gun safety and safe handling techniques will be strictly enforced. Eye and hearing protection is required for all exercises! Exercises will consist of the following:

3 yard line
Draw and fire accurately one or two rounds at a time as per instructions. Whistle will designate the “go signal” This will be repeated several times. Shoot two rounds accurately into each of three targets W/ emphasis on proper technique.

7 yard line
Same as above
Discussion of any problems & concerns. Accuracy, not speed is the objective of this session/exercise.
Shooting while turning 90 degrees left & right- 180 degree turns
Kneeling Shooting

Range Session 2

Safety concerns same as for session 1. Exercises will be as follows:

3 & 7 yard line
Draw and fire accurately as directed
Failure Drill Practice
Strong Single Hand & Weak Hand Shooting
Tactical & speed loading Practice

15 yard line
Draw and fire accurately as directed
Shooting from kneeling position
Shooting from prone position
Begin placing more emphasis on speed while maintaining accuracy
Repeat above exercises & practice
Practice double taps / accelerated pairs / hammers
Failure Drill Practice Including Shots to Pelvic Area

25 Yard Line
Shooting from prone position

Range Session 3

Meet on a weekend afternoon at classroom
Hands on Gun Cleaning Instruction & Practice
Range Work:
Review & practice all the above shooting exercises
Fun Competitive Shoot off
Introduction to shooting with movement (to cover or concealment) Movement in Four Directions & Diagonal
Introduction to shooting from cover and/or concealment
Have dinner at a nearby restaurant
Night shoot / Use of flashlights W/ Movement

MISSED CLASSES

We realize that life sometimes gets in the way of our special interests and occasionally one may encounter a conflict & have to miss class. At the same time, our fee schedule is based on a reasonable return for time invested. As a result, we allow one missed class at no charge. After that, we charge a make up fee of $25.00 per student for each missed class. (Missed range sessions are higher) Any missed classes must be made up to receive a certificate of completion.

Definitions

Tactics - any maneuver or adroit management to gain an objective
Tactical Short definition - CHEAT
Adroit synonyms - skillful, expert, practiced, able, clever, adept, competent, or accomplished
IWB - Type of holster (Inside waistband)
SOB - Type of holster (Small of Back)
Cover - Hidden from view using something that will stop a bullet E.G. Rock, tree, etc.
Concealment - Hidden from view using something that will not stop a bullet E.G. Grass
Misfire - Cartridge does not fire after primer is struck by the firing pin.
Hangfire - a perceptible delay in the ignition of a cartridge after primer has been struck by the firing pin
Squib load - less than normal pressure or bullet velocity after ignition of the cartridge.
Compliant - doing exactly as instructed (ordered)