My Open/trooper Rifle @ Tactical Rifle Classes

[SinistralRifleman]

I just took 4 days of tactical rifle and advanced tactical rifle classes from Tactical Response in Tucson. I decided to use my open/trooper class rifle with dual optics for the class to assess the practicality of this configuration for situations other than shooting competitively. Over the course of these 4 days we shot about 3,000 rounds of rifle, 500 pistol, and learned quite a lot.

My rifle has a Luepold MKIV 1.5-5X Scope and an OKO mounted at 10:30 on the rail system. I use the OKO for shots 25 yards and less, and the Luepold for anything farther. I usually kept the magnification on 1.5 unless we were shooting past 75 yards.

USPSA targets were used for the purposes of the class to represent humans intent on doing you harm. The instructors placed emphasis on making hits in the A Zone of the head, and in the center A Zone only hits made above the bottom of where the A is stamped on the targeted, counted as hits. I was easily able to do this with my rifle using either optics at the distances we engaged the targets.

The only drill I had a difficult time with was shooting the rifle one handed...the weight of the rifle (it has an HBAR barrel) made it difficult to lift with one hand and put a good deal of stress on my wrist. It was easier to shoot the rifle one hand only right handed (I am a lefty) because manipulating the selector that was is easier. Once I got the rifle on target I could complete the drills easily. The CAV Comp does a good job of eliminating muzzle climb.

A good deal of the class focussed on Team Tactics in 2, 4, and 8 Man Teams. Drills included Fire and Movement, Counter-Ambush, and transporting a wounded team mate while laying down convering fire. The team tactics portion of the class is what I found the most interesting, worthwhile and fun. Doing these types of drills will definitely break you out of the "square range" mentality.

two man team fire and movement:

http://www.cavalryarms.com/training/2005-1...-23-TRI/294.jpg

http://www.cavalryarms.com/training/2005-1...-23-TRI/492.jpg

providing covering fire as two teams advanced forward:

http://www.cavalryarms.com/training/2005-1...-23-TRI/499.jpg

http://www.cavalryarms.com/training/2005-1...-23-TRI/502.jpg

"Aussie Peel" counter-ambush drill

http://www.cavalryarms.com/training/2005-1...-25-TRI/365.jpg

Building clearing

http://www.cavalryarms.com/training/2005-1...-25-TRI/421.jpg

Wounded man drill

http://www.cavalryarms.com/training/2005-1...-25-TRI/528.jpg

http://www.cavalryarms.com/training/2005-1...-25-TRI/532.jpg

The instructors at Tactical Response are very professional and their training is excellent. One of the things I like best about taking training from them is they don't care what equipment you use, or the particular shooting technique you use as long as it gets the results they want. James Yeager, the lead instructor, recently returned from Iraq having put in time as a security contractor. Yeager informed me that rifle configurations like the one I used at the class are not uncommon in Iraq...competition shooting is definitely influencing gear used in the real world.

I highly reccomend taking some training from Tactical Response if you have the opportunity. They do travel around the country putting on classes at ranges that can host them. If you host a class, you get to train for free. http://www.tacticalresponse.com

view the full galleries from the classes here:

Tactical Rifle

Advanced Tactical Rifle

I do need to add that Tactical Response places emphasis on Mindset, Tactics, Skill, then Gear in that order for winning the fight...it is however much easier to write about gear than about the other three. You will get a healthy dose of Mindset, Tactics, and Skill building taking a class from Tactical Response.

Edited October 28, 2005 by SinistralRifleman

[uscbigdawg]

Looks like fun and great time training. I've seen their website before and have been curious about taking a class or two from them when I get back to the states. I've trained with Mike Voigt and Bennie Cooley and their attacking/aggressive mindsets show when we're training here and when I sister with other units. It's nice getting compliments on my technique as well as equipment (yep....I have the only ACOG here ).

As soon as I get some leave dates/DEROS dates secured, I'll see if folks want to spend some time with them and do some training. Glad they won't have an issue with my competition OR duty rifles.

SPC Richard A. White, Senior Medic

249th MP Detachment (EACF)

Camp Humphreys, ROK

[Tacblack]

I was checking out you pic when I realized I know the Tactical Response name. Some of these guys shoot at our USPSA club www.ntps.org just out side of Nashville. Dave Keenom and Allen Webb mostly. I guess Dave has a good reason for missing so many matchs and I thought he was just scared of my production gun I need to give him my new M4 so he can check it out.

Which range was this at I know they have many. A great place to live if you like to shoot.

[SinistralRifleman]

Which range was this at I know they have many. A great place to live if you like to shoot.

This was at the Desert Trails range in Tucson, AZ. Tactical Response travels around the country putting on classes at ranges willing to host them.

[Tacblack]

I hit 4 ranges in a week when I was there it was great. Great pictures too.

[scottmilk9]

The training we received from Tactical Response INC was top notch, instructors new their stuff, I would highly reccomend them. James/Dave/Larry/Chris/Yancy all were great instructors.