Search found 12 matches

by Scott B.
Thu Jun 07, 2018 10:25 pm
Forum: General
Topic: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training
Replies: 24
Views: 12840

Re: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training

When I did our version of it, which wasn't as involved, we were all wanded to make sure nobody was taking anything into the training area.
This 1-day course, either indoors or out, includes classroom training and multiple life-like scenarios.

Designed for those who have a CCW permit or live in a state with constitutional carry, this course will test your fundamentals (basics), your ability to execute those fundamentals under stress, and your ability to make the decision to shoot or not to shoot in a dynamic, life-like, real-world environment.

All exercises will be conducted with simulated or UTM guns so there is no need to bring your own firearm or ammunition.
Includes:

Legal Rights and Responsibilities
Mindset / Situational Awareness
Weapons / Tools / Equipment
Firearms Safety & Practical Application
Weapons Handling / Awareness (specific to UTM)
Ready Positions
Drawing from Holster and Reholstering
Force on Force training

Prerequisites
Have a CCW permit or live in a state with constitutional carry.

Equipment Requirements
Layered clothing options to protect you against marking rounds fired from UTM man-marking rounds.
Recommendation: have at least a medium weight jacket that can be shot with wax paint rounds
Eye protection (clear with shatterproof lenses)
Hand-held light
Note pad and pen
Snacks, water
Personal medications if any (please notify instructor of any medical conditions)
The following will be provided to you: helmet/face mask, gloves, and neck protector
by Scott B.
Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:18 pm
Forum: General
Topic: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training
Replies: 24
Views: 12840

Re: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training

I had a call about CG the other day which got me to looking at the current training opportunities.

It looks like they've tweaked the structure. Now they're offering:

https://www.nracarryguard.com

NRA CARRY GUARD BASIC TRAINING
2-Day course, typically indoors with a combination of classroom and live-fire training.


NRA CARRY GUARD INTERMEDIATE TRAINING
3-Day course, typically outdoors with classroom and extensive live-fire training and scenario-based training.


NRA CARRY GUARD SCENARIO TRAINING
1-Day course, either indoors or out, some classroom training and multiple drills and force-on-force scenarios.

There's a June (1 spot left) and an August (3 spots left) class here in Texas for the scenario training.
by Scott B.
Mon Jan 08, 2018 11:03 pm
Forum: General
Topic: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training
Replies: 24
Views: 12840

Re: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training

Had a little Carry Guard tchotchke show up from NRA today, a challenge coin.

They weren't in vogue when I was in and so I've only got a handful. By far my favorite is from the '41 protective detail that an agent gave me.
by Scott B.
Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:45 pm
Forum: General
Topic: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training
Replies: 24
Views: 12840

Re: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training

I'll add another note as it sounds like you might be at the beginning of a journey to get more training. It's a piece of advice than an instructor told me once and I've held onto it.

Beware the cult of personality.

There's no one instructor that knows it all or the best way to do everything. There are a couple of things from the Carry Guard class that I won't add to my 'bag of tricks' and a couple that I've immediately adopted. The ones I'm keeping were more than worth the cost of the course and time invested.

Also, if you ever feel like a training activity is unsafe. Don't hesitate to turn around and walk away. Don't stick it out because of peer pressure.

FWIW, Carry Guard was extremely safe. They're on their toes when it comes to student safety.
by Scott B.
Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:34 pm
Forum: General
Topic: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training
Replies: 24
Views: 12840

Re: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training

diverman26 wrote:What would you suggest (if any) as a prerequisite for this course? It doesn’t sound quite like it is designed for someone who isn’t already fairly proficient with a handgun.
Don't worry about that. The instructors will pace it to the student and if you need some personal one-on-one attention, you'll get it. They won't let you get in over your head.

It's not a bad idea at all to take some classes, if you can, that are already offered in your area. Just about every range has some kind of program going on.
by Scott B.
Mon Dec 11, 2017 4:28 pm
Forum: General
Topic: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training
Replies: 24
Views: 12840

Re: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training

...but all good training helps instructors become better instructors.
Well said.
by Scott B.
Mon Dec 11, 2017 3:09 pm
Forum: General
Topic: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training
Replies: 24
Views: 12840

Re: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training

twomillenium wrote:
Scott B. wrote:Have you opened a Rifleman magazine in the last year or so? :mrgreen:

It's NRA's big new insurance / training / quasi-lifestyle brand.

https://www.nracarryguard.com/

The insurance is thru Locktite Infinity. I'm not sure what action NRA receives from the program. Same group that offers firearms instructor's liability coverage and firearms business insurance.
Thanks, there are a lot of advertisers in the NRA magazines. I am not saying that it is not a good course and I do question the fact that they request that specific training not be discussed with others, as this is not usual for other credible training programs. However, your endorsement of the experience you had does soften the negative vibe of such request.
They just don't want a blow by blow of their courses of fire or the test format out there. That's not uncommon at all with...well I hate this term...'higher end' training. It's also still a new product that they're tweaking as they run more classes.

From my vantage point, they're on the right track for what they're offering.
by Scott B.
Mon Dec 11, 2017 12:49 pm
Forum: General
Topic: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training
Replies: 24
Views: 12840

Re: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training

Have you opened a Rifleman magazine in the last year or so? :mrgreen:

It's NRA's big new insurance / training / quasi-lifestyle brand.

https://www.nracarryguard.com/

The insurance is thru Locktite Infinity. I'm not sure what action NRA receives from the program. Same group that offers firearms instructor's liability coverage and firearms business insurance.
by Scott B.
Mon Dec 11, 2017 10:57 am
Forum: General
Topic: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training
Replies: 24
Views: 12840

Re: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training

Bitter Clinger wrote:
l won't give any specific details on COF, testing, or the like per their request, but it's a well thought out three days...
Is there some "non-specific" info you could share? Sorry but otherwise I do not find this to be a useful posting.
Let me try to make it "useful" for you and others then, as I did invite questions.

Non-specifically, you'll shoot from distances anywhere from 2 yards to 12. You'll cover the standard ready positions including drawing from holster and from concealment. There is some primary hand shooting, shooting from retention, and kneeling. Failure drills and malfunctions. There is very limited shooting and movement. It's a well thought out 'how to save your life' class.

Where Carry Guard is unique is the pacing and intensity, with accuracy required. They'll work you pretty good and that comes directly from the instructors' background and POV. Twenty-four to twenty-five hours of training, only about 4 of which are in a 'classroom' setting. Actually, I think the only reason we were inside for 4 hours is because it had snowed.

In comparison, the Handgun 3 class I'm going to help teach this Saturday is more technically challenging, but it's easy pacing, only 4 hours long, and costs a fraction.

I like taking different kinds of training classes with different instructors. You can always learn something new, or a different way of approaching something you think you know. If you don't, you run the risk of closing yourself off from knowledge.

One note I'll add. People are interested in these courses. Out of 11 students, aside from the far reaches of Texas, we had a 4 from Oregon, Tennessee, and Indiana.
by Scott B.
Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:20 am
Forum: General
Topic: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training
Replies: 24
Views: 12840

Re: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training

Liberty wrote:I don't want to go off topic and off tangent, but what were the issues with Winchester White Box? I ask because @ 1200 rounds, one is going to want to use ammo that is reliable, consistant and cheap. What were the issues that they having?
I found about 7 of these lovelies across the batch:

Image

I caught all but one while loading which made for a very entertaining stoppage drill. Also had two or three dud primers. Tried restriking, no joy. Additionally, powder varied from box to box with about 1/3rd having obnoxious amount of smoke.

Should have just shot the reman I usually practice with. I've never found a malformed round in the many thousands of rounds shot (7k+ of that brand) and maybe one dud primer.
by Scott B.
Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:01 am
Forum: General
Topic: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training
Replies: 24
Views: 12840

Re: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training

You can find classes here:

https://www.nracarryguard.com/training/ ... g-classes/

I only wrote "Houston Area Range" because that's how it was listed on the web site. I wondered for two months where the class I'd paid for would be as there are multiple outdoor ranges. They emailed the exact location about 6 days before the class. This one was held at the Brazos River Sportman's Club, which I'd never heard of before. It's only 40 mins from location so it was convenient. Once things dry up down there, I'm going to look into what other pistol and carbine offerings they have.

FWIW, the range's aren't setting these classes up. It's the Carry Guard instructor corps finding a location to host their class. Right now there are only 10 Carry Guard instructors.

Texas seems to be the hot spot for classes at the moment, with 5 or 6 this first year spread around the state.

My cost was as posted, $850 for the class. Add about $180 for 2k of some really bad ammo. Fired about 400 rounds of that the weekend before tuning up for the class. Also shot about 90 rounds of carry ammo, so add that cost in.
by Scott B.
Mon Dec 11, 2017 12:32 am
Forum: General
Topic: NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training
Replies: 24
Views: 12840

NRA Carry Guard - Level 1 Training

Took the recent NRA Carry Guard, Level 1, course taught at a 'Houston Area Range.' I know a number of you have questions about it as I did.

Some quick notes

It's a solid, professionally run training program. Three days, roughly 1,200 rounds, challenging. Excellent teacher to student ratio. Class size normally of 12, we had a no-show for a total of 11 with two instructors plus a full time RSO. By far the best safety brief / casualty plan for any course I've taken.

I won't give any specific details on COF, testing, or the like per their request, but it's a well thought out three days. Go prepared to learn and you will. I picked up a couple of new things and challenged some old things. In general, I had a great time.

What you want to know as a potential student

Would I encourage others to take it? Absolutely.

Will I take Level 2 if and when it launches and it fits into my schedule and budget. Yes.

Free student tips. Know your gear. Know it works Don't forget to add ammo, plus travel expenses into your budgeting. Take seriously the caution to 'be prepared for the weather and range conditions.' You never know, it might just snow (in Houston? no way) or something worse. Mud sucks. Don't buy Winchester White Box because it sucks too. Seriously, absolute junk.

Edited to add: 3 mags are good, 4 mags are better, 20 might be stretching it. You will load often and in a hurry, buy a Maglula loader if you haven't already.

What you want to know as a potential instructor

The only way you're going to teach NRA Carry Guard is if you take the class, meet their standards, both numerically and otherwise, and meet the standards of their instructor course. It's makes perfect sense for what they're trying to build. Exclusivity has a cachet all of its own, but I repeat myself.

Is it a course I want to try to teach? No.

The format doesn't fit into my life or is it that my life doesn't fit into that format? :???: . YMMV, but I enjoy teaching in discreet blocks with different emphasis.

My conclusion, or better yet, my opinion offered to other NRA Instructors. Carry Guard is clearly the marquee NRA training program and will only grow larger. It has zero relationship to anything you previously thought of as carrying the tag "NRA Instructor" or can see through "nrainstructor.org." Get used to it.

Questions? I'll try to answer them if I can.

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