In the past month or so I have taken 3 classes with Onsight Firearms Training ( @OnSight Firearms Training ) . Just a summary of my experience as well, I've been shooting since I was a kid, I have had training from some high speed low drag snake eaters in the military, I've deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, trained with Massad Ayoob, NYS Court Officer's Academy and MDTS (who you should take classes with if you can). Here is a quick review of all three classes and Onsight Firearms Training as a whole:
*April 22, 2017 - Defensive Pistol Skill Builder With Guest Instructor David Bruce:
I ran my duty rig with my duty weapon which is a Glock 19.
The day started off on time with students and staff setting up for the day. We then had our safety briefing (I will touch on this at the end of the review) and proceeded to do a quick intro of ourselves. The class had a mix of newer shooters, LEO's and experienced shooters. It was a good mix of all walks of life.
We started the day with some draw and fire one round at the target to get things warmed up. After that the day got going. We did everything from 2 to the chest 1 to the head at varying distances to utilizing cover and concealment. We did movement drills, walking drills, walking forward, backwards, etc. Anything you can think of.
When it came to the cover/concealment portion of the class I found myself severely lacking in the knowledge that will keep me alive on and off duty. I found that I was not utilizing cover properly. You would think that my training in the military and LEO academy would have taught me this. Nope. Those are government mills. When Ben and Rachel noticed what I was doing wrong they immediately corrected it. They took the time to show me what I was doing wrong from a bad guy's point of view. They didn't leave me until they saw I had it corrected. The way they explained and showed me with a visual example just made it sink in to my brain with a "holy shit" moment of clarity.
All in all this class was awesome.
*May 6, 2017 - Cover and Concealment
I ran my Blue Alpha Gear Delta AIWB with my Glock 19
As with the the class before we started on time with set up and stuffing magazines. We then did a quick intro of ourselves and the safety briefing. Once again, all walks of life. Some LEO's, some new shooters, some experienced shooters.
The day started off with some warm up drills on paper using dot targets. A good way to shake some rust off before jumping into the class. After that, the fun started. We immediately started using cover and concealment. We had discussions on the topic and then started learning how to use cover and concealment to your advantage. I figured this class would be great for me. After the previous class when I was corrected on my use of cover, I wanted to spend an entire class working on it which I did.
The day was filled with various shooting positions from behind cover. We shot anywhere from 25 yards to 3 yards. The drills we ran made people step out of there comfort zone and got people down into the ground, moving and THINKING. This class was all about angles and distance and making yourself small.
Just like before this class was awesome.
*May 7, 2017- Essential Close Quarter Defensive Pistol
I ran my duty rig with my Glock 19
Once again the class started on time. We had our quick intro's and our safety brief. The class varied in experience. Some of the guys were in the class with David Bruce.
The day started off with warm up drills on dot targets at 3 yards. Then we backed up further and further. This is when the discussion on close quarters work began and it was a great way to jump into it.
The drills for the entire day were unorthodox. We needed to simulate being in a crowd. People were touching you, bumping you, we did partner drills, sitting, contact distance, etc. This was not a "square range" class. There will be some who will shit a brick when they read this. But it was all done safely. At no point did I or anybody feel in danger. It was all controlled and smooth.
I really liked the partner drills. On occasion I escort judges at work out in the public or in a court house and I am in charge of their safety. For that reason the partner drills were awesome for me. Not to mention if you are out with your significant other or children.
I really liked doing this class immediately after the cover and concealment class. It is two opposite ends of the spectrum both of which are vital to know to how to do correctly.
You guessed it, this class was awesome.
Previously I said I would touch on the safety brief. In all 3 classes it was the exact same briefing. No deviation. I think that's great. It's all typed up and the emergency procedures are given to each student on paper. Duties are assigned before the class begins and it's all written down. They have an experienced Army Medic (who I know) on hand and ready.
As a whole, I will say Onsight Firearms Training is locked down. The lunches the provide are great too! You will not be disappointed if you take any class with them. The staff make it safe, worthwhile and FUN! The whole day is fun. Plenty of laughs and jokes. Sign up and take a class with them. I'm taking another class in August with them with guest instructor Steve Fisher. I can't wait.
*April 22, 2017 - Defensive Pistol Skill Builder With Guest Instructor David Bruce:
I ran my duty rig with my duty weapon which is a Glock 19.
The day started off on time with students and staff setting up for the day. We then had our safety briefing (I will touch on this at the end of the review) and proceeded to do a quick intro of ourselves. The class had a mix of newer shooters, LEO's and experienced shooters. It was a good mix of all walks of life.
We started the day with some draw and fire one round at the target to get things warmed up. After that the day got going. We did everything from 2 to the chest 1 to the head at varying distances to utilizing cover and concealment. We did movement drills, walking drills, walking forward, backwards, etc. Anything you can think of.
When it came to the cover/concealment portion of the class I found myself severely lacking in the knowledge that will keep me alive on and off duty. I found that I was not utilizing cover properly. You would think that my training in the military and LEO academy would have taught me this. Nope. Those are government mills. When Ben and Rachel noticed what I was doing wrong they immediately corrected it. They took the time to show me what I was doing wrong from a bad guy's point of view. They didn't leave me until they saw I had it corrected. The way they explained and showed me with a visual example just made it sink in to my brain with a "holy shit" moment of clarity.
All in all this class was awesome.
*May 6, 2017 - Cover and Concealment
I ran my Blue Alpha Gear Delta AIWB with my Glock 19
As with the the class before we started on time with set up and stuffing magazines. We then did a quick intro of ourselves and the safety briefing. Once again, all walks of life. Some LEO's, some new shooters, some experienced shooters.
The day started off with some warm up drills on paper using dot targets. A good way to shake some rust off before jumping into the class. After that, the fun started. We immediately started using cover and concealment. We had discussions on the topic and then started learning how to use cover and concealment to your advantage. I figured this class would be great for me. After the previous class when I was corrected on my use of cover, I wanted to spend an entire class working on it which I did.
The day was filled with various shooting positions from behind cover. We shot anywhere from 25 yards to 3 yards. The drills we ran made people step out of there comfort zone and got people down into the ground, moving and THINKING. This class was all about angles and distance and making yourself small.
Just like before this class was awesome.
*May 7, 2017- Essential Close Quarter Defensive Pistol
I ran my duty rig with my Glock 19
Once again the class started on time. We had our quick intro's and our safety brief. The class varied in experience. Some of the guys were in the class with David Bruce.
The day started off with warm up drills on dot targets at 3 yards. Then we backed up further and further. This is when the discussion on close quarters work began and it was a great way to jump into it.
The drills for the entire day were unorthodox. We needed to simulate being in a crowd. People were touching you, bumping you, we did partner drills, sitting, contact distance, etc. This was not a "square range" class. There will be some who will shit a brick when they read this. But it was all done safely. At no point did I or anybody feel in danger. It was all controlled and smooth.
I really liked the partner drills. On occasion I escort judges at work out in the public or in a court house and I am in charge of their safety. For that reason the partner drills were awesome for me. Not to mention if you are out with your significant other or children.
I really liked doing this class immediately after the cover and concealment class. It is two opposite ends of the spectrum both of which are vital to know to how to do correctly.
You guessed it, this class was awesome.
Previously I said I would touch on the safety brief. In all 3 classes it was the exact same briefing. No deviation. I think that's great. It's all typed up and the emergency procedures are given to each student on paper. Duties are assigned before the class begins and it's all written down. They have an experienced Army Medic (who I know) on hand and ready.
As a whole, I will say Onsight Firearms Training is locked down. The lunches the provide are great too! You will not be disappointed if you take any class with them. The staff make it safe, worthwhile and FUN! The whole day is fun. Plenty of laughs and jokes. Sign up and take a class with them. I'm taking another class in August with them with guest instructor Steve Fisher. I can't wait.
