Basic Firearms Tactics

August 13 - 14, 2011
Saturday and Sunday
9:30am to 5:30pm

Course Administrator
Peter Georgiades
412.370.9500

Enrollment Form and Credentials

Where: Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen's Club
25 minutes east of Pittsburgh in North Versailles Township

There is unquestionably more to defending one's self, home and family with a firearm than knowing how to shoot a gun, because defense is a lot more than shooting. No matter what kind of a shot you are, your ability to recognize and solve commonly encountered problems and make decisions will be far more important than presentation speed in determining whether you control a situation and survive or lose control of the situation and suffer serious injury and economic loss.

The course assumes that trouble has found you in your home, car or workplace, and you must now address a life-threatening problem. This is a "nuts-and-bolts" course about decision making and coping. Covered topics include:

• Basic tactical principles which should guide your decision-making in a dynamic scenario. There will be specific exercises designed to allow students to work with each principle.

• Preparation of others who will likely be around. Spouse, children, siblings and co-workers can either help or make things worse. We discuss how to prepare them to at least not be in the way.

• Working with a partner. Operating in conjunction with a friend, acquaintance, spouse or co-worker, as opposed to acting independently of one another. This includes advance planning, communicating, moving, covering and assisting.

• Dealing with architectural and natural barriers and obstacles without exposing yourself to unnecessary danger (doors, windows, hallways, corners).

• How to recognize and effectively employ cover and concealment during an armed altercation.

• Discussion of weapon selection for various home, work and street environments.

• Shooting in proximity to other people. When shots are fired, confusion erupts.

• Putting the shooting principles taught in firearms courses into practice. This course involves several simulation exercises and a good deal of shooting.

• Dealing with the police. What they need to know, what you need to do.

• Legal aspects of personal defense (Pennsylvania law).

Course Format and Hours :  The course runs two days, from 9:30 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m. each day.  We begin with a discussion introducing applicable principles, followed by a series of short lectures and exercises designed to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.  Most lectures occur on the range.  There are discreet "units" on particular problems (e.g., dealing with doors), both "cold" and live-fire exercises, and several tactical simulations, short and long.  Most exercises will be followed by discussion among instructors and students about the choices they made during each exercise.  Minimum instruction time will be 15 hours.  There will be a certificate for those who complete the course.

"Non-Shooting"   Spouses :  We recognize the fact that many domestic partners have no interest in learning how to shoot, and will not carry a weapon.  Yet, if there is trouble at home or in the car, a spouse/significant other is very likely going to be there.  To deal with this aspect of reality we encourage non-shooting domestic partners to enroll in this course and participate with a shooting spouse.  Non-shooting spouses will participate in all exercises (except square-range shooting exercises), and must have the same safety equipment as course participants who will be handling weapons.  All students will have the opportunity to (but are not required to) bring their spouse or significant other to the afternoon of the second day to observe some of the outdoor exercises pertaining to coordination of effort between family members .

Weapon Requirements: Students may use whatever firearm they expect to have available at home, out in the community or in the workplace.  Each participant must have the requisite level of formal instruction with each and any weapon they intend to deploy in class.  It is recommended students bring whatever holster and spare magazine(s) they use for everyday carry.  Ammunition requirements are 300 rounds of hand-gun ammunition, or 300 rounds of carbine, rifle or shotgun ammunition.  No armor piercing, incendiary or tracer ammunition is permitted.

Instructor: The RM will be Peter Georgiades.  Mr. Georgiades has been instructing in firearms and personal defense since 1995, and emphasizes contact-distance defense in all of his courses.  Mr. Georgiades is certified to instruct by the NRA (rifle, pistol, shotgun and personal protection), the State of Arizona (CCW Instructor - Certificate No. 8769268), and is a member of the International Ass'n. of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI).  He is graduate of the Gunsite Academy Law Enforcement Carbine Instructor Certification Course, Marksman's Enterprise 3 day instructor courses for both carbine and pistol, the "Contact Weapons Defense Instructor" course from OSG (Steve Tarani), and several instructor seminars by Giles Stock.  He has trained extensively with some of the foremost firearms and personal defense instructors in the U.S.  An active judo practitioner and competitor, he currently holds the rank of Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt - USJI verified)(medalist at the 2005 and 2007 Senior National Championships, Gold Medalist at Pennsylvania Open 2010 and 2011).  A practicing attorney, he will cover many legal aspects of personal defense.

Class Size: This course will be limited to ten students.  A small class allows more time for each student to work in each of the exercises and simulations, and to fully participate in discussions.

Prerequisites: This course assumes students have been previously instructed in their firearm discipline, and have kept current.  In order to enroll in this course, one must have completed at least one hand-gun course of a minimum three days duration (21 hours of instruction) from a recognized firearms school or instructor.  In addition, if the student intends to use a rifle or shotgun in the course, he or she must also have at least one course in that discipline, of at least three days duration (21 hours of instruction).  Courses which qualify include, but are not limited to, courses from PFDC, Fire Institute, Gunsite Training Center, Gunsite Training Academy, Cumberland Tactics, Peregrine Enterprises, Ken Hackathorne, Larry Mudgett, etc.  Obviously, there are far too many qualified schools and instructors to list here.  Please indicate your prior training experience on the enrollment form, and we will contact you if there are any questions.  Likewise, if you have any questions, please contact us for assistance.  Please note that NRA basic courses, LFI-I and military basic training do not fulfill this requirement.

Cost: $300.00 (There is a $25 discount for members of any host club.)  This includes instruction, range fees and course materials.  It does not include any personal gear, ammunition or meals.

Physical Requirements: This course is designed to assist YOU to make decisions.  Your physical condition is one of the factors you must take into account.  Therefore, we will work with you in whatever condition you are in.  You should, however, notify the Instructor of any particular disabilities you may have, and we expect you to refrain from attempting any exercise that is beyond your physical capability or presents a risk of injury to you or others.

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.

• Cap or hat with baseball-style bill. This is to prevent ejected brass from another shooter's firearm from falling between your eyewear and your eye, burning you. It is important gear.

• Carry-holster with spare magazine pouches and three magazines (speedloaders with carrying pouches for revolvers).

• Flashlight that you would keep in your bedroom, car or office.

• As with any outdoor firearms course, wear substantial shoes

• 600 rounds of ammunition. We recommend students use one brand of ammunition throughout the course. Different brands and loads of ammunition can significantly affect the "zero" of your firearm. We also suggest students avoid the very cheapest ammunition and reloads. While "match grade" ammunition would be a waste of money, your investment in this course does justify the use of reasonably consistent ammunition. No armor piercing, incendiary or tracer ammunition is permitted.

• An inert training handgun. We recommend the Red guns by ASP or Blue guns by Ring's. If you do not have one we will provide one for your use when required.

There is other equipment that is not required, but which we know from experience will enhance your experience of the course. We therefore recommend you bring the following:

• Soft drinks or water to drink while down on the range. There is no water on the range itself, and the Club house is too far to run back and forth. No alcohol of any kind is to be consumed within eight hours of the start of any course session or at any time during the course.

• An easy-to-use camera is a good idea, as there will be opportunities for other students to photograph you in various exercises.

• Rain gear.

For Details, Information and Directions:

• Contact Us
• Course Schedule
• Area Motels

Join our E-mail list for future announcements

"Having a gun and thinking you are armed is like having a piano and thinking you are a musician"
------ Col. Jeff Cooper (U.S.M.C. Ret.)

This course is sponsored by the Firearms Instruction Research & Education (FIRE) Institute,
a Penna. nonprofit corporation.
Training is provided as a public service.
All students must be 18 years or older. Proof of no criminal history is required.

© 2003 F.I.R.E. Institute