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Please email me directly at jesse.mathewson@hotmail.com with questions, suggestions or requests. I currently have two additional syllabi available for use, and am completing research and study on 5 more over the next year. The actions in this syllabus are NOT to be attempted at home; professional instruction should be sought out and used. The syllabus is being released as an informative piece of information with the sole purpose being the further enlightenment informatively of the individual reader. The author does not take responsibility nor accept responsibility for the actions of others pertaining to the document contained within. At no time does the author believe any person should attempt any of the following actions without the close supervision of practiced individuals or highly trained and qualified instructors. Any injury or death relating to this training and the individuals use of this material outside of the suggested parameters and without a trained instructor is the sole responsibility of the individual committing said action. By continuing on you are acknowledging that you understand this and are accepting this responsibility and sole liability with regards to the following INFORMATIONAL piece.
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Classroom Practices
Discussions on the following subjects are not tolerated during class; this is a class for learning to utilize the firearm as a defensive tool. 1. 2. 3. 4. Politics Religion Personal life Caliber or firearm type (outside of general effectiveness and good practice)
This class is meant to assist you in becoming a positive member of the shooting community. My sole goal as your instructor is to help you all understand the benefits and responsibilities of owning a firearm and learning how to carry one safely, and successfully. Times are included as guidelines and may not be exactly adhered to depending on changes that may need to occur.
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Equipment Necessary
1. Handgun (functioning handgun semiautomatic, or revolver) 2. Sufficient holster for the handgun, no shoulder holsters or backwards canted holsters per range insurance 3. 3 Magazines will be a benefit; however, for those who utilize a revolver, at least two additional speed loaders and 2 magazines are a minimum requirement. 4. Magazine retention devices, belt clips, belt pouches and more may be brought but are not required. 5. 200 rounds of ammunition specific to the handgun you have brought 6. LUNCH 7. Plenty of Water! (2 +gallons a day) 8. Sun lotion (recommended 45 SPF or higher) 9. Foldup chair (umbrella may be desired for personal comfort) 10. Hat with a brim or bill is required. 11. Eye protection, sunglasses/ shooting glasses 12. Ear protection (foam inserts, over ear protection) 13. NO OPEN TOED FOOTWEAR Ask for additional requirements as decided prior to class
Feedback
Positive meaningful feedback will be provided on a regular, individual basis to each person, each instructor has been selected for their ability to shoot and communicate that knowledge and experience to others in a meaningful way. There is never a benefit in making derogatory remarks or approaches when training. Our goal as instructors is to assist each student in becoming better acquainted with the proper use of a firearm and the benefits of understanding the proper approach to utilizing a firearm for defense.
Course Description
The Basic Handgun Safety and Understanding course is specifically designed to introduce individuals with little to no experience in handgun use. Throughout the course emphasis will be placed on safety, safe handling and safe direction. This course is the First Step of a Two Day course to the rest of your life as an armed individual.
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For the first segments NO LOADED FIREARMS will be permitted on the rangethis is FOR your safety and that of those around you, until the abilities of each individual are understood and assessed by the qualified and professional staff. Each individual will be asked to leave live ammunition in their vehicles or in a locked/sealed ammunition container in a location designated for this purpose.
Safety Rules -, Safety Rules -5 minutes, student verbal participation encouraged. (These will be repeated throughout the day at regular intervals, each student is responsible for themselves and their surroundings, NEVER hesitate to alert others to potentially dangerous behaviors.) a. Loaded or not, keep the finger OFF the trigger b. Loaded or not, always ensure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction
If you forget rule one, but remember rule two, there will be no injury or property damage. If you forget rule two, but remember rule one, there will be no injury or property damage.
1. How to hold the firearm a. Dominate hand should be firmly seated with the webbing of the hand tight under the curve at the top of the grip b. The meat of the palm should be towards the back of the grip, it is important to maintain as much skin on grip contact as possible c. The bottom three fingers should wrap tightly under the trigger guard firmly touching the bottom of the trigger guard and clasping the grip d. The trigger or index finger (otherwise known as the safety) should be laying along the frame above the trigger guard, a slight crook in this finger allows stronger retention e. The thumb can be either pointed up or alongside the opposite lower side of the frame from the index finger. This is up to the individual though some firearms are known for their desire to eat your thumb if it is too high. f. The support hand should be placed with the meat of the hand in the gap between the finger tips and the meat of your dominate hand on the opposite side of the grip. g. Wrap all four fingers around the front and underneath the trigger guard again firmly placing them against the underside of the trigger guard and wrapped over the three fingers from the dominate hand h. The alternate thumb should be underneath the dominate hands thumb, it is important to not cross these digits as this will not aid in a firm platform
Jesse Mathewson |5 Utilizing a crushed grip or a very firm grip one may assume that this grip will in fact provide a strong platform for shooting and doing so accurately. 2. Drawing the firearm a. Proper carry for each individual b. Draw from CCW carry, I. support hand grasps clothing over firearm and pulls up II. dominate, gun hand, placed firmly over butt of pistol III. strong, solid, seated grasp IV. Ensure finger is OUTSIDE and above the trigger guard alongside the frame, either straight or slightly crooked. V. Draw straight out of the holster VI. Rotate the barrel slightly forward and point in the direction of the target with your hands close to body VII. Meet the dominate hand with the support hand and complete the grip as you extend the firearm towards the target VIII. If you are in a solid stance you will find a solid draw allows you to be aiming at the target regardless of sights at this time c. Draw from open carry I. Place dominate hand on firearm, II. Strong, solid, seated grasp III. Mimic steps IV-VII above d. Practice draw I. Practice drawing from current holster AFTER visually checking and verbally agreeing on empty state of firearm II. A minimum of 10 cold reps, (cold means NO AMMUNITION in or near the firearm) e. Additional holsters addressed as necessary depending on mode of carry 3. Stances a. verify students strong side/eye (dominate hand/ eye) b. Show the three main holds and stances (explain this is not set in stone and should adjust to each individual- during this phase INCORPORATE crush grip and proper grip techniques into instruction on holds.) c. Isosceles Hold Triangle arms in front of body fully extended weight may be neutral or even back, Modern Iso Hold weight shifts more aggressively forward using instructors show why weight distribution is important d. Weaver stance Both elbows bent, pistol (dominant) hand pushes forward with firearm while support arm pulls back creating tension theoretically allowing better shooting, body is at a 45 to the target, Modified Weaver simply locks the dominant hand/arm straight out. e. Offhand, Bullseye One hand, strong hand, facing sideways to target arm extended 4. Sight acquisition, usage and understanding a. Explain what the sights are and using the students firearms allows them to discover this for themselves. i.
Jesse Mathewson |6 b. Show them stress fire indexing, focused on target, handgun comes up into stance/grip viewing the front sight not the full picture. Within 15 yards this is a reasonably solid approach to shooting under pressure. c. Show each proper sighting techniques for less stress based shooting, 6 oclock hold, center hold etc. d. Show proper trigger management- gentle, slow and steady squeeze straight back into the frame until the firing pin is released- DRY FIRE practice for FIVE MINUTES! e. Ensure they understand that their firearm should be properly sighted in before use
This short amount of shooting should allow students to both checks their stances, grips and sights as well as to show them the difference that distance makes in ability to shoot small groups, it should help them understand that they may need to slow down even further the longer the distance.
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d. Reload with ONE magazine again at 3 yards e. UPON COMMAND-From holster draw with dominate hand and using ONLY the dominate hand engage the target with five rounds, clear, show safe f. Reload with ONE magazine again at 3 yards g. UPON COMMAND-From holster draw with dominate hand, transfer firearm to SUPPORT HAND carefully and using ONLY the SUPPORT hand engage the target with five rounds, clear, show safe h. TAPE, RETRIEVE BRASS 2. Seven yard rush a. Load three magazines with five rounds apiece b. Place students at seven yard line and LOAD one magazine c. UPON COMMAND-Kneel, draw firearm and using isosceles position ENGAGE the target KNEELING with five rounds, clear, show safe d. Reload with one magazine again at seven yards e. UPON COMMAND-Standing, draw firearm and fire FIVE rounds into the target, clear, show safe f. Reload with one magazine again at seven yards g. UPON COMMAND-Standing, draw firearm and ENGAGE with DOMINATE hand only, fire five rounds into target, , clear, show safe h. TAPE, RETRIEVE BRASS 3. 15 yard accuracy a. Load three magazines with five rounds apiece b. Place students at 15 yard line and LOAD one magazine c. Upon COMMAND take solid shooting stance, draw firearm, engage target with five rounds, reload immediately and repeat until all three magazines are emptied d. Show clear, safe and wait for Range is Safe instruction- proceed downrange and visually check progress/ tape targets e. TAPE, RETRIEVE BRASS
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4. The 3 Yard Scramble 60 seconds i. Load three magazines with five rounds apiece j. Place students at the 3 yard line and LOAD one magazine k. UPON COMMAND- From the holster each student draws and with BOTH hands engages the target with five rounds, clear firearm, show safe l. Reload with ONE magazine again at 3 yards m. UPON COMMAND-From holster draw with dominate hand and using ONLY the dominate hand engage the target with five rounds, clear, show safe n. Reload with ONE magazine again at 3 yards o. UPON COMMAND-From holster draw with dominate hand, transfer firearm to SUPPORT HAND carefully and using ONLY the SUPPORT hand engage the target with five rounds, clear, show safe p. TAPE, RETRIEVE BRASS 5. Seven yard rush 60 seconds i. Load three magazines with five rounds apiece j. Place students at seven yard line and LOAD one magazine k. UPON COMMAND-Kneel, draw firearm and using isosceles position ENGAGE the target KNEELING with five rounds, clear, show safe l. Reload with one magazine again at seven yards m. UPON COMMAND-Standing, draw firearm and fire FIVE rounds into the target, clear, show safe n. Reload with one magazine again at seven yards o. UPON COMMAND-Standing, draw firearm and ENGAGE with DOMINATE hand only, fire five rounds into target, , clear, show safe p. TAPE, RETRIEVE BRASS 6. 15 yard accuracy 120 seconds/ Two minutes f. Load three magazines with five rounds apiece g. Place students at 15 yard line and LOAD one magazine h. Upon COMMAND take solid shooting stance, draw firearm, engage target with five rounds, reload immediately and repeat until all three magazines are emptied i. Show clear, safe and wait for Range is Safe instruction- proceed downrange and visually check progress/ tape targets j. TAPE, RETRIEVE BRASS
With 45 rounds the object is to score all rounds inside the A zone of the target, this is possible and attainable if the students follow the instruction given.
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