As stated in the title here is an after action report or review of sorts after getting to go @OnSight Firearms Training Tuesday Workshop "Low Light Pistol Skills"
Class: Low Light Pistol Skills
Location: Roll Call, Scranton PA.
Equipment brought:
Glock 34 Gen 5 MOS mostly stock
NDZ Stainless steel Guide rod w Gen 5 adapter
ISMI 13lb recoil spring
Tau Dev Group "Striker Control Device"
Dawson MOS suppressor sights blacked out
C&H Precision Weapons V4 MOS adapter plate
Trijicon RMR Type 1 RM07 (6.5 MOA)
Stock Glock 17 as a backup
Surefire x300u-a: 1,000 lumens / 11,300 candela
Phlster ARC Enhanced WML controls
Surefire CR123 lithium battery x2
Holster: Tier 1 Concealed Xiphos V2
Magazines: All NY/Cali neutered 10 rounders
6 Gen 3/4 OEM G17 mags
2 Gen 5 OEM G17 mags
1 Magpul 17 PMAG
(Had additional 4 Gen 3/4 OEM and 2 PMAG in range bag)
Ammo: Blazer 124g loaded in all 15 mags (prior to the class) for a total of 150 rounds, had additional 300 Federal American Eagle 124g and 200 Federal Syntech 124g in my backpack
Phlster Skelton Mag carrier (my edc spar mat carrier) with the addition of 2 Blade tech owb mag carriers just to keep more ammo on the line during and between drills. (A second tip i learned from a certain video i watched put out by a certain firearms training company
)
And lastly but probably more important to this class particular handheld flashlight..
Streamlight Protac: 500 lumens / 6,800 candela
Battery: Streamlight 18650 LI-ION rechargeable
can also use 2 CR123
Misc: Blue Alpha Gear Low Pro EDC Belt, Ankle IFAK (NAR Compressed Gauze x2, Gen 7 CAT, 4" izzy bandage, HyFin Vent Chest Seal twin pack, mini sharpie and pair of gloves) i was a bit hesitant to raise my hand when the question was asked if anyone had medical training because my training was from when in the Navy on board a ship and while trained in all those parts of the kit, its first been years and second outdated thinking aka "tourniquets are a last resort" when in reality studies show more lives are saved when a TQ is applied early, and i really want to find time to get better training myself.
Ok now that that intro is over of you are still with me let's get onto the actual day of the class.
It was about a 2 hour drive and I was able to convince a buddy to join. We arrived at Roll Call right around 5pm almost on the dot. After parking we saw Ben pull up and introduced ourselves, he then mentioned we could bring out stuff in and drop it off on the table outside the range.
So that's what we did, and then we took a few min to check out the shop itself which was super awesome.
Now its about 5:30 others roll up so we head to the range to get all set up. There was 10 of us, most had Glocks (mix of Glock 19s, one 19x, a 17, and my 34) one S&W M&P (not sure if 1.0 or 2.0) one CZ P-07 OD green and a Canik. Two others had RMRs for a total of 3 dots, plus 1 Holosun 508t (Ben's gun)
I belive only two of us did the class from concealment, everyone else had OWB strong side, 3 people were running "battle belts".
We started just after 6pm with introductions which was really nice, Ben did it a bit differently than other classes I've been to in the past by adding the queation "why are we taking this class specifically" and it was nice to hear everyone's reason for coming to a low light class, most answers were generally the same but also different but on the end everyone there was there to get better.
We then went on to the safety brief and medical briefing. Once that was done Ben jumped right into the bread and butter of the class... Flashlights
It was nice he brought out a few different handhelds and give people an idea of different beam patterns and brightness or lack there of. He then was going over the pros and cons of handhelds and my favorite part was brining up the Thyrm Switchback (which i have always been a fan of and have wanted). Next Ben talked about WML and their pros and cons.
Next Ben went over the 3 different techniques he teaches for low light shooting with a handheld. Not only did he show us but he did so in a very clear way showing each ones advantages and disadvantages
Once all this was finished it was time to step up to the line and get to shooting.
We started off with 10 rounds from 15 yards lights on two handed at our own pace. We then did a hand full of drills with the lights on and simulating the use of the handheld. This was a very nice way to ease into learning without overwhelming the shooters with trying to remember the handheld and shoot all in the dark, then the lights went off.
After lights went off and we worked on the three different shooting techniques using a handheld. The 10 of us were split into two groups and each given a number, right before each drill Ben would call out either even/odd or specific numbers. This was the command for those specific people to draw their handhelds and "search", limiting the number of people doing this each time kept the range as low light as possible (5 or 6 flashlights in an enclosed space at the same time isn't really all that low light) and when the "fight" command was given those people would draw and engage (sometime the all clear command was given, because not all situations need to be shot)
Ben was very thorough on each of the 3 techniques that he was teaching and when each one would be more useful and why one would use technique A instead of C, but also why we should work to become proficient with all 3.
Bonus to this being a low light class was it also was partly a one handed class, i know personally I don't shoot one handed enough and besides the first 10 rounds at the start of the class everything else was shot one handed.
After thoughts: this was an amazing work shop and I would highly recommend taking it if one has the opportunity and for the following 3 reasons.
1st) if you plan on taking the full day low light class, and can get into this workshop prior as almost a "prologue"
2nd) if you have taken the full day class and this class is being offered it wouldn't serve as more positive reinforcement to the things learned and more repetitions
3rd) (and I think the best) if you are on the fence about a class like a low light class, or intimidated by the idea of shooting a low light class. This is a perfect confidence boost, out of the 10 people in my class I would say the skill level was very well mixed but everyone walked away with more knowledge than they came with.
Finally if interested a review of gear I brought and used.
Glock 34, love it ran like a champ. The Trijicon RMR well this class reinforced "dot is life" red dots make everything better, getting to actually shoot under low light with the dot and not just the occasional dry fire in my living room really reinforces how much of a force multiplier a red dot is on a handgun, its not magic tool to make me a better shooter it still takes time and effort which I need (plan) to put more into my dot shooting.
Surefire x300u, well I turned it on a total of 1 time. There was a course of fire were i personal ran dry and needed to reload, while grabing for my reload I fumbled with the flashlight in my support hand (thoughts on this to follow) and I instantly ditched my handheld instead of struggle more trying to get my spare mag, reloaded my gun hit my x300u acquired my target engaged then turned off my x300u recovered my dropped handheld and then reholstered. And im actual glad this happened even by accident.. learned the wml is still something I plan to always have as it serves as a quality backup go the handheld (something i believed before but in a slightly different way which this class opened up my eyes to how more so the wml is a backup to the handheld)
Now on to the Streamlight Protac 2l-x. I really liked this light, and i still think it is a decent light, but has some shortcomings. One of the biggest issues with this (and I believe how all Streamlight handhelds in this category work) is the activation. Simple push click, a full push is constant on requiring a second full push to turn off. It also has momentary but that requires and conscious effort to only press the tail cap part way in, during the "stress" of shooting i would sometimes over press causing the light to stay on even if only wanted momentary, easy fix right? Just hit the button again.. well yea sure that's not so had until you add in all the other things that we are focusing on during a "gun fight". I would much rather the tail cap only be for momentary use and have another way for a constant on (similar to how surefire hand helds usually work, tailcap for momentary and you twist the light head for constant)
Next I really wish the Thyrm Switchback worked with this handheld and my next handheld will 100% be compatible with the switchback, those themselves are a game changer, and hey if you want an explanation on how and why they are a game changer... well Ben goes over that in these low light classes sign up and check it out lol.
Other than that, the lumen and candela were alright there were definitely less powerful lights being used by others and there were more powerful lights.
Case in point Rachel a few times was on the line next to me using the Modlite with PLHV2 Head which has approximately 1,350 lumens and 54,000 candela (advertised) and while many may think thats to much or you will blind yourself i can tell you standing right next to that light going from almost complete darkness (most minimal ambient light) to her switching that PLH on was not a detriment, it was the complete opposite... while it may be a very very long time if ever before I can pick up a modlite handheld myself yea they are probably king or close to king of handheld lights that are still sized for every day carry.
Class: Low Light Pistol Skills
Location: Roll Call, Scranton PA.
Equipment brought:
Glock 34 Gen 5 MOS mostly stock
NDZ Stainless steel Guide rod w Gen 5 adapter
ISMI 13lb recoil spring
Tau Dev Group "Striker Control Device"
Dawson MOS suppressor sights blacked out
C&H Precision Weapons V4 MOS adapter plate
Trijicon RMR Type 1 RM07 (6.5 MOA)
Stock Glock 17 as a backup
Surefire x300u-a: 1,000 lumens / 11,300 candela
Phlster ARC Enhanced WML controls
Surefire CR123 lithium battery x2
Holster: Tier 1 Concealed Xiphos V2
Magazines: All NY/Cali neutered 10 rounders
6 Gen 3/4 OEM G17 mags
2 Gen 5 OEM G17 mags
1 Magpul 17 PMAG
(Had additional 4 Gen 3/4 OEM and 2 PMAG in range bag)
Ammo: Blazer 124g loaded in all 15 mags (prior to the class) for a total of 150 rounds, had additional 300 Federal American Eagle 124g and 200 Federal Syntech 124g in my backpack
Phlster Skelton Mag carrier (my edc spar mat carrier) with the addition of 2 Blade tech owb mag carriers just to keep more ammo on the line during and between drills. (A second tip i learned from a certain video i watched put out by a certain firearms training company
)And lastly but probably more important to this class particular handheld flashlight..
Streamlight Protac: 500 lumens / 6,800 candela
Battery: Streamlight 18650 LI-ION rechargeable
can also use 2 CR123
Misc: Blue Alpha Gear Low Pro EDC Belt, Ankle IFAK (NAR Compressed Gauze x2, Gen 7 CAT, 4" izzy bandage, HyFin Vent Chest Seal twin pack, mini sharpie and pair of gloves) i was a bit hesitant to raise my hand when the question was asked if anyone had medical training because my training was from when in the Navy on board a ship and while trained in all those parts of the kit, its first been years and second outdated thinking aka "tourniquets are a last resort" when in reality studies show more lives are saved when a TQ is applied early, and i really want to find time to get better training myself.
Ok now that that intro is over of you are still with me let's get onto the actual day of the class.
It was about a 2 hour drive and I was able to convince a buddy to join. We arrived at Roll Call right around 5pm almost on the dot. After parking we saw Ben pull up and introduced ourselves, he then mentioned we could bring out stuff in and drop it off on the table outside the range.
So that's what we did, and then we took a few min to check out the shop itself which was super awesome.
Now its about 5:30 others roll up so we head to the range to get all set up. There was 10 of us, most had Glocks (mix of Glock 19s, one 19x, a 17, and my 34) one S&W M&P (not sure if 1.0 or 2.0) one CZ P-07 OD green and a Canik. Two others had RMRs for a total of 3 dots, plus 1 Holosun 508t (Ben's gun)
I belive only two of us did the class from concealment, everyone else had OWB strong side, 3 people were running "battle belts".
We started just after 6pm with introductions which was really nice, Ben did it a bit differently than other classes I've been to in the past by adding the queation "why are we taking this class specifically" and it was nice to hear everyone's reason for coming to a low light class, most answers were generally the same but also different but on the end everyone there was there to get better.
We then went on to the safety brief and medical briefing. Once that was done Ben jumped right into the bread and butter of the class... Flashlights
It was nice he brought out a few different handhelds and give people an idea of different beam patterns and brightness or lack there of. He then was going over the pros and cons of handhelds and my favorite part was brining up the Thyrm Switchback (which i have always been a fan of and have wanted). Next Ben talked about WML and their pros and cons.
Next Ben went over the 3 different techniques he teaches for low light shooting with a handheld. Not only did he show us but he did so in a very clear way showing each ones advantages and disadvantages
Once all this was finished it was time to step up to the line and get to shooting.
We started off with 10 rounds from 15 yards lights on two handed at our own pace. We then did a hand full of drills with the lights on and simulating the use of the handheld. This was a very nice way to ease into learning without overwhelming the shooters with trying to remember the handheld and shoot all in the dark, then the lights went off.
After lights went off and we worked on the three different shooting techniques using a handheld. The 10 of us were split into two groups and each given a number, right before each drill Ben would call out either even/odd or specific numbers. This was the command for those specific people to draw their handhelds and "search", limiting the number of people doing this each time kept the range as low light as possible (5 or 6 flashlights in an enclosed space at the same time isn't really all that low light) and when the "fight" command was given those people would draw and engage (sometime the all clear command was given, because not all situations need to be shot)
Ben was very thorough on each of the 3 techniques that he was teaching and when each one would be more useful and why one would use technique A instead of C, but also why we should work to become proficient with all 3.
Bonus to this being a low light class was it also was partly a one handed class, i know personally I don't shoot one handed enough and besides the first 10 rounds at the start of the class everything else was shot one handed.
After thoughts: this was an amazing work shop and I would highly recommend taking it if one has the opportunity and for the following 3 reasons.
1st) if you plan on taking the full day low light class, and can get into this workshop prior as almost a "prologue"
2nd) if you have taken the full day class and this class is being offered it wouldn't serve as more positive reinforcement to the things learned and more repetitions
3rd) (and I think the best) if you are on the fence about a class like a low light class, or intimidated by the idea of shooting a low light class. This is a perfect confidence boost, out of the 10 people in my class I would say the skill level was very well mixed but everyone walked away with more knowledge than they came with.
Finally if interested a review of gear I brought and used.
Glock 34, love it ran like a champ. The Trijicon RMR well this class reinforced "dot is life" red dots make everything better, getting to actually shoot under low light with the dot and not just the occasional dry fire in my living room really reinforces how much of a force multiplier a red dot is on a handgun, its not magic tool to make me a better shooter it still takes time and effort which I need (plan) to put more into my dot shooting.
Surefire x300u, well I turned it on a total of 1 time. There was a course of fire were i personal ran dry and needed to reload, while grabing for my reload I fumbled with the flashlight in my support hand (thoughts on this to follow) and I instantly ditched my handheld instead of struggle more trying to get my spare mag, reloaded my gun hit my x300u acquired my target engaged then turned off my x300u recovered my dropped handheld and then reholstered. And im actual glad this happened even by accident.. learned the wml is still something I plan to always have as it serves as a quality backup go the handheld (something i believed before but in a slightly different way which this class opened up my eyes to how more so the wml is a backup to the handheld)
Now on to the Streamlight Protac 2l-x. I really liked this light, and i still think it is a decent light, but has some shortcomings. One of the biggest issues with this (and I believe how all Streamlight handhelds in this category work) is the activation. Simple push click, a full push is constant on requiring a second full push to turn off. It also has momentary but that requires and conscious effort to only press the tail cap part way in, during the "stress" of shooting i would sometimes over press causing the light to stay on even if only wanted momentary, easy fix right? Just hit the button again.. well yea sure that's not so had until you add in all the other things that we are focusing on during a "gun fight". I would much rather the tail cap only be for momentary use and have another way for a constant on (similar to how surefire hand helds usually work, tailcap for momentary and you twist the light head for constant)
Next I really wish the Thyrm Switchback worked with this handheld and my next handheld will 100% be compatible with the switchback, those themselves are a game changer, and hey if you want an explanation on how and why they are a game changer... well Ben goes over that in these low light classes sign up and check it out lol.
Other than that, the lumen and candela were alright there were definitely less powerful lights being used by others and there were more powerful lights.
Case in point Rachel a few times was on the line next to me using the Modlite with PLHV2 Head which has approximately 1,350 lumens and 54,000 candela (advertised) and while many may think thats to much or you will blind yourself i can tell you standing right next to that light going from almost complete darkness (most minimal ambient light) to her switching that PLH on was not a detriment, it was the complete opposite... while it may be a very very long time if ever before I can pick up a modlite handheld myself yea they are probably king or close to king of handheld lights that are still sized for every day carry.
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