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There has been a lot of talk on this site lately about people getting their new AR15 and wanting help. I think that’s great, that’s why it’s an AR site right? I was thinking we could have a one day beginners class for those who have little or no experience with the AR15. I was a U.S. Army instructor for years, teaching basic training, and AIT. I would be willing to give a free class, to those who want it, covering; fit and function, zeroing, and short range marksmanship. Anyone game? Your thoughts? There are others here who could teach this also if you don’t want me to teach it, I would still think it’s a good idea.
Count me in.
I've been out shooting about 5 times with my AR now and i can certainly use some instruction. I feel pretty comfortable with shooting it, but i am not happy with my performance. It's been a blast (no pun intended) to go out and plink, but i want more out of it.
I'm comfortable with the function and cleaning of the rifle, but zeroing methods, shooting positions, breathing techniques, marksmanship, ect would be great!
StagLefty
04-18-2008, 16:33
There has been a lot of talk on this site lately about people getting their new AR15 and wanting help. I think that’s great, that’s why it’s an AR site right? I was thinking we could have a one day beginners class for those who have little or no experience with the AR15. I was a U.S. Army instructor for years, teaching basic training, and AIT. I would be willing to give a free class, to those who want it, covering; fit and function, zeroing, and short range marksmanship. Anyone game? Your thoughts? There are others here who could teach this also if you don’t want me to teach it, I would still think it’s a good idea.
I'm an NRA Instructor and would be willing to help with basic firearm skills for those interested-I'm certified for rifle instruction as well as others.
This sounds like a good idea to me. While I'm familiar with the function of my AR15, zeroing it hasn't gone that well with either the original sights or the scope I put on it. Plus I'm sure there are some little things I'm doing wrong shooting it.
GearHead
04-18-2008, 19:29
I would be interested. I'm very comfortable shooting but need more knowledge on the mechanics/assembly.
That would be awesome! I'm a n00b-box looking to buy an AR or two in the next few months. I think deciding to buy an AR and knowing nothing about them would be like buying a car and knowing nothing about vehicles. What brand do you want, ford, chevy, toyota, honda? Engine size or power, 4 cylinder, v6, v8? What kind of options do you want, power windows, heated seats.....you get the idea.
If the class fits my schedule, I'll be there for sure.
I help anybody zero if they want to. Let Me know when and where.
I help anybody zero if they want to. Let Me know when and where.
Hey Marlin, I have a few Q's for you.
I'm going to be down South tomorrow morning, so me and the lady are thinking about going the extra hour to the South shoot location. I found the GPS cords. and put them into Google Maps, seems easy enough to get there.
My questions: is the area pretty obvious to find once in the area (ie: a sign to look for, a certain access road ect?). How far in do you drive before you find the actual shooting spot, and no 4x4 required? How crowded is it on a Saturday afternoon typically speaking? I tried to search for the answers to no avail. Thanks.
Going 67 north from WP, It about 2-3 miles past Rainbow Falls CG.
From Deckers going south on 67, about 12-14 miles, about the only road on the west side that isn't a driveway.
There is a stop sign and a real nifty hairpin turn. Go back up about a 1/2 mile or so, The road will curve around. That's the spot that We try to get.
4X4 not really needed, Nice to have in the winter though.
scratchy
04-19-2008, 19:35
My wife and I would be interested for sure. 2 shiny new ARs and 2 shiny new pistols, She's never fired a weapon.
There is a stop sign and a real nifty hairpin turn. Go back up about a 1/2 mile or so, The road will curve around. That's the spot that We try to get.
That's an understatement! Wowzers that stop sign/turn comes up FAST! I passed it, and passed it again on the way back. It was at 11.1 miles on my odo from Deckers for those wondering. Place was PACKED when we got there. We drove up and to the left and found a group packing up, took their spot. VERY nice older gentleman we spoke with, and a hell of a shot too. Maybe i just suck, but this guy was shooting golf balls with a Ruger 10/22 at 25+ yards with irons like it was nothing.
Thanks Marlin.
Oh and i was working on sighing in my AR and i can use a little guidance. I was dead on with my new Aimpoint at about 25 yards, that thing is childs play. But for the life of me i can't sight in my irons. Lets get this class going!
Here's a bit of my shooting today with the Aimpoint. Here's a grouping i shot at this shotgun shell on a stick at 25yards. Being a novice shooter, I am pretty happy. I think i hit it ~7 times and i'm pretty sure i put around 7-8 rounds on it. I also shot the stick until it broke off using the Aimpoint. I couldn't even get close using my irons.
I'm an NRA Instructor and would be willing to help with basic firearm skills for those interested-I'm certified for rifle instruction as well as others.
That would be great, two range saftys are always better then one, and we can run a larger range.
Well it looks like we have enough people(6 so far) for a good calss, so lets do it. I'm thinking May 3 or May 10. Is that enough time for everyone.
This is what I was thinking.
Start Time: 0900
Location: South Shoot Site
Equipment Needed;
-1 AR-15 - The sole purpose of this class is to provide Beginner level tactical firearms training, and is centered around the AR-15 rifle.
-Clothing - In this class you will be exposed to hot flying brass, dirt, and what ever the weather can through at us. Therefore there is a dress code. The dress code will be; long pants, shoes (no sandals or open toes), long sleeve shirt, and a hat ( baseball cap is fine). Other things that you may want are; knee and elbow pads, and tactical shooting gloves. Think of what a soldier looks like, you will be doing the same kind of shooting they do. I don’t care if you wear camouflage or not.
-3 AR-15 Magazines - You should ensure that your magazines are working, before the first class. If you don’t have three magazines, let me know, and you can use some of mine.
-300 rounds of ammunition - You can run any ammo you want. It can be cheapest or hand loads, it does not matter. If it gives you trouble then you will get a lot of training clearing stoppages. It need not be all the same. If you want to zero with your expensive home defense ammo and then run cheep stuff for the rest of the class, that’s fine. The difference in the zero will not matter for this class.
-Earplugs - NO EAR MUFFS! Some ear muffs will not seal right when using an AR15.
-Eye Protection - Again, you will be exposed to hot flying brass.
-Targets - I will bring zeroing targets. You will need to bring three IPSC type targets.
-Water
-Lunch
-Optics (Optional, ON SCOPES.)
-Cleaning kit (Optional)
Training Outline;
Safety Briefing
Dominant Eye Testing
Fit, Form,& Function of the AR15 and support gear
Fundamentals Of Marksmanship
Firing Positions
Dry-fire Exercises
Zeroing Range
Malfunction drill
100m Range
Read-Up Drill
Weapons cleaning
AAR
I just put this together here, so things may change. What do you think.
I'm in. No plans right now, so either date would work for me.
Anyone up North who wants to carpool let me know.
I'd say go for the 3rd, The regular club shoot is the 10th. That way You'd have more time to instruct without a whole lot of other stuff going on.
I'd be more than happy to come down and help with zeroing if You want.
I'd say go for the 3rd, The regular club shoot is the 10th. That way You'd have more time to instruct without a whole lot of other stuff going on.
Your right, we don't whant to have this on a club shoot day, the 10th is out. So let's say may 3rd or 17th.
I'd be more than happy to come down and help with zeroing if You want.
That would be great, and if you can bring your grill, it would add a hole new meaning to LUNCH.
No problem, I even cleaned it. [Tooth]
i'd go but i was diagnosis with Bells Palsy a week ago, and it is affecting my vision. I will let Brandon use my AR, so he can zero it in for me.
May 3rd sounds great to me. I'm north of Denver so carpooling is likely a good idea. I'll check with a friend of mine and see if she wants to go and bring her AR15 also.
Since it sounds like we have a grill coming I'll bring a couple packages of brats.
One quick question, can I buy IPSC targets locally or should I order some online, and if they are around locally any particular place good to get them from in the Denver area?
scratchy
04-20-2008, 19:30
Marlin, would this be suitable for a first time shooter? Or shoudl I leave her at home and just bring both ARs?
If Tora don't mind, I don't see why not. Afterall, That's what this is about.
scratchy
04-20-2008, 21:18
I'm hoping Tora can somehow wrap this into NRA basic rifle (we'll pay)
Tora?
Sounds fantastic. I won't know for sure I can go till it gets closer to the date but I'll probably have room for one more in my truck coming from the DTC area.
If I could do it I'd be glad to take that extra seat :)
is this filled? And is there a minimum age requirement? my son is 14.75 yrs old (we shoot regularly but mostly hand guns and shot guns since .223 ammo is priceless) and we are both very interested?
Lip
StagLefty
04-21-2008, 16:16
I'm hoping Tora can somehow wrap this into NRA basic rifle (we'll pay)
Tora?
NRA basic rifle course runs about 14 hrs.,requires more classroom than shooting,requires a test after the class if you want an NRA Basic Rifle certificate, requires NRA literature so that does create a cost.I didn't think this was what you guys were looking for.I thought you were just looking for some help from some knowledgeable folks who were willing to help with some basic skills.I do apologize I've had to back out due to outside conflicts and nothing to do with above stated facts. Good Luck-sounds like Tora has a good handle on this. [Beer]
scratchy
04-21-2008, 18:02
NRA basic rifle is what what my wife and I are looking for. We'll schedule when appropriate. Her son, the soldier, informed her that this would be a great experience and we're in.
--Dennis
Well I guess I'm late to this thread but if there's room for one more I'd sure like to join you all.
I just attended an Appleseed this last weekend and learned a lot, but there were 44 shooters and only 4 instructors, and the focus was definitely not on the AR-15.
Count me in if you will, and let me know what I can bring besides my rifle, ammo, and personal gear.
Ken
i'd go but i was diagnosis with Bells Palsy a week ago, and it is affecting my vision. I will let Brandon use my AR, so he can zero it in for me.
I hope that you get better. As for your weapon. If Brandon need one then it's great that you will let him use it, but everyone will zero an AR15 differently. You would be better to get your weapon to mechanical zero until you can zero it your self.
is this filled? And is there a minimum age requirement? my son is 14.75 yrs old (we shoot regularly but mostly hand guns and shot guns since .223 ammo is priceless) and we are both very interested?
Lip
If your son can hold the weapon safely it’s fine. I’m sure he can, my kids do (11&12). I would say that he would probably need to a collapsible stock on the weapon he is going to use though.
Afterall, That's what this is about.
Yep, that the point, and centered around the AR15.
NRA basic rifle is what what my wife and I are looking for. We'll schedule when appropriate. Her son, the soldier, informed her that this would be a great experience and we're in.
--Dennis
This will NOT be an NRA class. I'm NOT an NRA instructor. I just want to make this clear, I am a certified U.S. Army instruction.
It sound like everyone is good for the 3rd.
So, 3 march, 0900, south shoot site.
As for targets, thay need to be the cardboard type or have cardboard backing. I didn't know they made a paper kind unil I saw some yesterday.
Since I've never even been to an IPSC, I just want to confirm that this is the type of target you are referring to.
http://www.nationaltarget.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=NT&Product_Code=IPSC+%28CB%29++%28priced+per+25%29&Category_Code=USPSA
I just want to confirm that this is the type of target you are referring to.
Yes, but any cardboard silhouette of about that size will work.
This is what the army uses and what we are trying to cheeply recreate;
http://www.letargets.com/estylez_item.aspx?item=E+TARGET
I am planning to come too. Any help from someone experienced will be great.
scratchy
04-22-2008, 16:19
This will NOT be an NRA class. I'm NOT an NRA instructor. I just want to make this clear, I am a certified U.S. Army instruction.
Understood. Still, a great training experience. Her son convinced her that this would be a good thing. Kid says that US Army instructors are some of the very best. Being ex Navy, I wasn't gonna argue with him.
Being ex Navy, I wasn't gonna argue with him.
I'm Ex-Army Also. [Tooth]
So anyone from Westminster/Broomfield/Thornton/North Glenn ect. area want to work out a carpool? I drove to the South Site this past weekend from 120th/I25 area and it was around 85 miles, so it isn't a short hop by any stretch...
Understood. Still, a great training experience. Her son convinced her that this would be a good thing. Kid says that US Army instructors are some of the very best. Being ex Navy, I wasn't gonna argue with him.
I just don't want anyone to be mislead. As far as the teaching fundamentals, the army program today is better then what you would get at four year university, and I believe the navy is using the same program nowadays.
So anyone from Westminster/Broomfield/Thornton/North Glenn ect. area want to work out a carpool? I drove to the South Site this past weekend from 120th/I25 area and it was around 85 miles, so it isn't a short hop by any stretch...
You just haven't done it enough. [ROFL1]
I don't know, The dog and Rae Ann are most likely staying home for this one, So I might have room. I may head down early though.
scratchy
04-23-2008, 19:23
Sadly, my idea of a long drive is from the Eagle golf course to the StorageTek campus.[BooHoo]
You Guy's never took a good road trip did Ya?[Stooge][Driver]
So anyone from Westminster/Broomfield/Thornton/North Glenn ect. area want to work out a carpool? I drove to the South Site this past weekend from 120th/I25 area and it was around 85 miles, so it isn't a short hop by any stretch...I'd be willing to carpool, have to confirm if my friend is going but either way I'll be passing by the park-n-ride at 120th & Huron and since I haven't been to the south site meeting up with someone who has would be a good thing.
I'd be willing to carpool, have to confirm if my friend is going but either way I'll be passing by the park-n-ride at 120th & Huron and since I haven't been to the south site meeting up with someone who has would be a good thing.
That would be great, i'm 2 miles from that park-n-ride. Let me know [Beer]
That would be great, i'm 2 miles from that park-n-ride. Let me know [Beer]Since you have gone to the South site what time do we need to meet there in order to make it down there?
Since you have gone to the South site what time do we need to meet there in order to make it down there?
Hmm, good question. We were already about 35 minutes South when we went there last time, and on the way home we stopped to grab a bite. I didn't really get an accurate time on actual travel time. Google says 2 hours, i would estimate it to be more in the 1:30-1:45ish range. From 120th/I-25 i would say leaving by 7am would easily get us there by 9am. I did reset the odo on the way home, it was 85 miles. It's actually a very pleasant drive, just a bit on the long side.
Also, anyone else gonna bring other rifles/handguns ect? Or are we strictly going to shoot AR's, then pack it up?
scratchy
04-26-2008, 11:19
Should we all try to find target stands as well? Or are suitable supports at the site?
You'll have to bring Your own.
Or are we strictly going to shoot AR's, then pack it up?
The class will be strictly for the AR-15, but after is up to you.
Should we all try to find target stands as well? Or are suitable supports at the site?
I'll bring a few, but if you have your own that would be great.
scratchy
04-27-2008, 12:35
Picked up 2 at Tanner today from Vic Malcheski. $7 each. He had IPSC cardboard for 4/$6.00 and tossed 2 in.
I just bought an AR, Woot.
Unfortunately, that means I don't have the funds to buy the other stuff I was planning on getting for the class. Plus I'll probably try to work a few extra hours in the next few weekends. I appreciate the offer of a free class but it looks like I'll have to catch the next one if it comes up again.
I just bought an AR, Woot.
Unfortunately, that means I don't have the funds to buy the other stuff I was planning on getting for the class. Plus I'll probably try to work a few extra hours in the next few weekends. I appreciate the offer of a free class but it looks like I'll have to catch the next one if it comes up again.
PM Sent
Looks like the better half and I will be tagging along with Sucka for this.
Couple of questions on the firing lines and courses of fire so I am sure of what all we will need to bring. I saw the post on dress so this is more equipment related.
Are you going to be running in groups or all at once? (I'm thinking lawn chair here for the down time if its groups) Will there be Move-Engage-Move scenarios, 3-Gun'ish? Moving mag changes? (Mag pouches, dump bag)
I have never been to the south site, is it pack in like the north site or can you drive fairly close to the firing line?
Thanks for putting this on Tora.
Looks like the better half and I will be tagging along with Sucka for this.
Thats great.
Are you going to be running in groups or all at once? (I'm thinking lawn chair here for the down time if its groups) Will there be Move-Engage-Move scenarios, 3-Gun'ish? Moving mag changes? (Mag pouches, dump bag)
This will be a static range, no shooting on the move. We will be working in pars, and all at once. Being a begainers class you will not need any tactical gear. If this class go's well, and people want to, I can do an SRM (Short Range Marksmanship / 3-gun'ish) CLass. As for lawn chairs, I'm going to being the ones I have, if you can bring your all the better.
I have never been to the south site, is it pack in like the north site or can you drive fairly close to the firing line?
The walk form the car is all of about 50ft.
Well the weather looks like it will be OK, but high winds. The snow we got down here was nothing, and for the most part gone.
http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/USCO0416?dayNum=1&from=search
I will be setting up a "cook tent" and chairs. If someone has a table they could bring it would helpout. It should be a good group. I'll see you all at 0900.
Marlin I'll be there to set up at about 0800.
Well count me in for tomorrow. Been looking forward to it all week long!
See everyone tomorrow.
Tora, I have a small camp table I will bring as well as all the extras chairs we find.
Do you need any binder/target clips? Note pads/pens? I have access these in bulk.
scratchy
05-02-2008, 12:54
This bites. Got 2 target stands, 8 targets, 500 rounds 6.8 SPC, 500 rounds 5.56 LC, 2 new AR's that need the cherry popped, 2 shiny new pistols in the same condition and a very sick wife. I'm 75-25 against at this point. Hopefully she'll improve.
Hope your wife is feeling better scratchy. Hope you can still make it.
Is Marlin bring a grill? [Dinner]
I have all the items listed, just trying to figure out what i'm bringing for lunch now.
If we need anything else let me know.
For those folks that needed targets I found a cheap source here in Denver however I am not going to be able to get there before they close today pick up a stash.
For Future reference http://www.americantargetcompany.com/ quoted 45 cents a piece for Cardboard IPSC targets when I called today.
IPSC Link http://www.americantargetcompany.com/USPA_IPSC_2_target.asp
1328 South Jason St. Denver, CO 80223, Denver, Colorado 80223
Hope your wife is feeling better scratchy. Hope you can still make it.
Is Marlin bring a grill? [Dinner]
I have all the items listed, just trying to figure out what i'm bringing for lunch now.
If we need anything else let me know.
We can strap the Brats to my Suppressor and cook off a couple of mags :)
Yes, I'll bring the Grill, I'm even going to check and make sure everything is there. [Tooth]
Yes, I'll bring the Grill, I'm even going to check and make sure everything is there. [Tooth]
Cool, i'll bring my brats to grill up. If anyone has some extra hot dog buns that would be great, save me a trip to the store :D
scratchy
05-02-2008, 19:23
Mustard? Onions? Grrr. Fresh suppressor grilled Brats! This pre menopause crap has end at some point. (ummm no, not me.)
Thank you Tim for running this class today.
I got a lot of valuable information and the start of much better ar15 shooting skills.
Thanks again Tim and Marlin.
For those that missed the class, Tora mentioned running it again, and i would highly recommend anyone to take his class. We're already requesting more classes from him! I learned a lot, and really enjoyed myself today. Hard to beat free training [Beer]
Thanks guys it was very informative and gave Darla great start.
Thanks again!!!
Thanks to all who came. I had fun, and It seemed to go well. If there are still people who want this class I could do it again on the 17th. As for a tactical shooting class I'll post something soon, I'm thinking June 7th???
Yes Tora, I would be interested. I have to say tentatively for now though. I am in the middle of applying and interviewing for a new job as well as working my current one. So Far I am open the 17th, but I can always be called out in the field on short notice.
So Far I am open the 17th, but I can always be called out in the field on short notice.
I can live with that, keep me posted as we get closer.
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