Contact Distance Defense Handgun

Firearms Instruction Research and Education

Contact Distance Defense - Handgun

This course is currently not scheduled in 2008

August 10 - 11 - 12
Fri - Sat - Sun

Instructors
Randy Cain and Ben Salas

Daily starting time is 10am

Location
Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen's Club
Click here for Directions

The most likely forms of life-threatening confrontation occur at close quarters (e.g., a mugger shoves a gun or knife into your face; someone tries to grab your arm or lapel and pull you away; you are stricken from behind; your way is blocked in a parking lot, elevator or narrow hallway). You may imagine that because you are armed, and because you have pistol training, you are equipped to deal with such encounters. In truth, there is a vast difference between the skills required to deploy a weapon at a distance where an adversary cannot put his hands on you, and deployment in close quarters. Unless you have prepared for an attack at "contact distance," there is a high probability you will be injured, or overpowered entirely, before you can present your weapon.

This course will show you how to more effectively deploy a concealed weapon to cope with a sudden, contact-distance encounter. It is a specialized form of firearms training, intended for both law enforcement and private citizens, and incorporates the latest methods and thinking on the subject. Topics covered include:

Weapon retention techniques. These include retaining your weapon against attempts to disarm you while your gun is in its holster, in your hands, and while grappling on the ground.
Immediate action drills and "sudden attack response options" with a firearm, at conversational distances and closer.
Movement to defeat an adversary's line of attack.
How to deploy your weapon in very close quarters, while under stress.
How to use elbows, knees and other body parts to create time and distance, so as to enable you to access to your firearm.

Techniques to control distance in the event of a long range (6-8 feet), Close Range (contact distance) or Extreme Close Quarters (in his clutches) contact weapon attack.

How to quickly recognize whether a contact weapon attack is lethal or less-than-lethal.
Ground techniques, such as escapes and reversals, which will allow you to regain your feet and take control of an attack.
Methods to gain immediate control of an assailant armed with a contact weapon (knife, club, screwdriver, etc.), in realistic contact weapon situations.

The instructors are two nationally known trainers, Randy Cain and Ben Salas.

Randy Cain is the Director of Cumberland Tactics, Inc., a professional shooting school providing mobile training throughout the United States. He has nearly two decades of professional firearms training experience. He holds a very rare "Instructor Certification" with Yavapai Firearms Academy where he served as class coordinator for 10 years. He is also a current Rangemaster at the prestigious Gunsite Academy in Arizona, and a member of the National Training Team with Operational Skills Group. Mr. Cain is a registered NRA Police Firearms Instructor, and has served both as a police officer and as a police SWAT team member and Training Officer.

Benjamin Salas is a full-time law enforcement and military trainer. Benjamin Salas operates Seamless Progression; a Wisconsin based Limited Liability Company. Previously a full time law enforcement officer in Georgia, Benjamin maintains his sworn police officer status by acting as a reserve training officer for the City of Powder Springs, GA. He is also on staff at the prestigious Gunsite Academy, in Paulden, Arizona. A well known trainer, Benjamin has designed and implemented training for units within the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security. Benjamin is currently certified by the State of Georgia P.O.S.T. as a Detention Officer, a Peace Officer, a General Instructor, and a Specialized Instructor in Defensive Tactics. Benjamin also has 22 years extensive experience in Filipino Eskrima, Indonesian Silat, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Chinese Kenpo, and International Style Kickboxing.

Equipment and Attire: Comfortable, loose-fitting, non-restrictive clothing that you can move around in. Loose-fitting street clothes or BDU's are fine; but wear a belt that will support your holster. Bring your duty holster or carry holster. Bring any gear appropriate to the weather at the time of the course. It can be cool here in May (high around 50) or hot (high in the 80's). The course will proceed rain or shine.

Physical Demands: This course will be tailored to the aggregate physical capacity of the specific group. The techniques employed are designed to be practical and useful, which necessarily means they must be useable by those in average physical condition who are without martial arts background. All training exercises are designed so students can proceed at their own pace. If you have a physical condition which makes an exercise or technique difficult for you, you are expected to advise the instructors and refrain from attempting that particular exercise.

Time Commitment: The course is three full days, from 10:00 A.M. to about 6:00 P.M., with a lunch and periodic breaks. Total instruction time is a minimum of 22 hours. A certificate of completion will be awarded to those who satisfactorily complete the training.

Training Prerequisite: To enroll in this course, one must have completed one hand-gun course of a minimum three days (21 hours) duration, from a recognized firearms school or instructor. There too many recognized schools and instructors to list here. If you have a question whether prior training satisfies the prerequisite, contact Peter Georgiades at the FIRE Institute, at the address or number listed below (LFI-I and military training do not fulfill this requirement).

Class size: The course will have not less than 14 participants. If there are not 14 registered participants 30 days before the first training date, the class will be cancelled and any tuition paid up to that time will be refunded in full.

Cost: $450.00. Fifty percent payment is required at the time of enrollment, and the balance 30 days prior to the start date of the course. There is also a $30 range fee, payable to the host club on the first day of class. Tuition is non-refundable within 30 days of the start date of the course. However, if the course is cancelled tuition will be refunded in full. There are no discounts applicable to this course.

Participant Safety: There are certain principles of safety which will be stressed, along with range rules you must follow. These safety rules will be strictly enforced by the instructors, as well as by management and employees of the Gun Club and the FIRE Institute. If there is any indication the violator is indifferent to a safety violation, or if a violation is repeated, the responsible party will be discreetly asked to leave the course. There are no exceptions and no compromises in this regard.

Equipment Requirements:

There is certain equipment which is REQUIRED in every course. One may not proceed in the course without the following:

Ear protection and Eye protection. Eye protection must be clear for the night shoot.
Cap or hat with baseball-style bill. This is to prevent ejected brass from another shooter's handgun from falling between your eyewear and your eye, burning you. It is important gear.
Firearm, clean and zeroed.
An inert Training Gun. We recommend the Red guns by ASP or Blue guns by Ring's.
At least three magazines with *weak side* belt mounted pouches or speedloaders and appropriate pouches. BDU pockets do not work well.
Knee and elbow pads. The inexpensive kind worn by skateboarders, or pads worn by carpenters and carpet layers are fine.