Newsletter • Paladin Training, Inc.

Edition 72

Even though weather conditions were, frankly, terrible, because of the perseverance and great attitudes shown by the 8 students, the Ladies AR-15 class on 13 NOV was a big success.

The stated goal of the class we to get the students to the point they could pick up any AR-15, determine the status of it, load and unload it and get good hits with it out to 25 yards. Experience levels ranged from none to attendance at previous carbine classes. The student to instructor ratio was 2 : 1.

We spent the morning in the classroom going over the various controls, what they do and, even more importantly, how they do it, peeling away the layers of mystery and magic. We covered lubrication…, what, where and how much. We dealt with the few set up issues we came across. There weren’t many.

After lunch we put on the cold / wet weather gear and started shooting…, slowly, deliberately hammering in good technique. The last couple of hours were spent shooting steel, working our way out from 10 yards, picking up the pace and developing confidence. By cease fire at 4:30 pm, the students had fired, on average, 150 rounds.

All the instructors were extremely pleased with the gun handling and hits. We want to do it again!

Ladies, if you want to learn how to defend your home and family with an AR, or if you want to just come hang out with the other ‘guys’ and have fun making steel ring, throwing sparks and feeling some recoil, please contact me. You WILL get a good grounding in the fundamentals of operating an AR-15 and, as far as it depends on me, you WILL have a good time.

If you don’t have access to an AR, yet, we have a few loaners. As before, female spouses of full time LE get a full scholarship. A limited amount of ammunition is available for you on a first-come / first-served basis as well.

We’ll schedule another Ladies AR class when I feel the demand is there, so please let me know if you’re interested.

An observation…

The biggest problem we see female participants in a two day defensive carbine class have is due to heavy guns. Too many doodads screwed to them, or the components are heavier or larger than they could be.

In my opinion, the only things an AR needs to be complete are a good two point sling, a mini-Red Dot Site and a light of at least 500 lumens. That’s great, but it’s also a problem because that means there are three things an AR (any carbine) needs to be complete: A good two point sling, a mini-RDS, and a light of at least 500 lumens.

See, all these things add weight… and even if it’s just ounces, ounces make pounds, and pounds make pain. Take this into consideration when you’re buying or building an AR. Perhaps consider a slender ‘pencil’ profile barrel instead of a government or, worse yet, HB profile. Maybe start saving for one of Bravo Company’s KMR handguards (less than 6 ounces, only 1.5 inches OD, $275 and rarely in stock.). Get on the notification list now.

Contact me if you have questions. I’ll be more than happy to discuss it with you.

Important Update – October 2016

As I write this, many are still dealing with the aftermath of Matthew. Our power was restored Wednesday night a little after 7 pm and I’m still in ‘assess’ mode. When I get all the Lessons Learned sorted out I’ll include them in a future newsletter.

In the meantime, I encourage you to do your own assessment while the event is still fresh so you hopefully don’t have to repeat past mistakes the next time there’s a disruption. Because there will be.

CANCELLED: The SC CWP class scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled due to storm related issues. The next scheduled SC CWP class is 4 & 5 NOV.
We’re doing a Handgun Cleaning & Maintenance class this Tuesday from 6 to 10 pm. Cost is $50.
A Biblical Self Defense seminar is scheduled for 6 to 10 pm, 28 OCT at Greenwood Baptist Church. Free of charge.

Contact me for further

Edition 71

This newsletter contains the 4th QTR schedule. If you need a class that’s not listed, remember we do private classes.

You should already know that I believe every law abiding adult American should own an AR or AK. In fact, I think it’s your DUTY as an American citizen to be trained up on these arms. If you’ve been thinking about this, but just aren’t quite at the point of pulling the trigger, please don’t put it off any longer.

Also, don’t forget budgeting in training, if not with us, then another reputable trainer. If you’ve trained with us and want to broaden your foundation, don’t hesitate to contact me for recommendations or a referral. Seriously, I have no problem directing you toward another trainer. See Proverbs 26: 4.

Please continue to train and get ready; physically, mentally and spiritually!

Train hard! Put God first!

Steve

DVC/I H S

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON SELF-DEFENSE 23 SEP

We’ll be conducting a four hour lecture on this topic at Greenwood Baptist Church, from 6 pm to 10 pm on Friday, 23 September.

Subjects include scriptural support for the use of force in self-defense, situational awareness, predator character-istics, avoidance and deterrence, etc.

Plenty of people provide training on crime prevention. Few focus on the mental aspects and fewer still do so from a scriptural basis. It’s critical to have a clear understanding as to what your rights and duties are before you need it. Expect to be challenged.

There is no charge to attend. We’re still working out the details as to a meal, if any, and there may be a charge to cover expenses related to that.

LADIES ONLY DEFENSIVE CARBINE CLASS?

If you’re interested in a one day Ladies Only carbine class, let me know.

Date: TBD
Location: Lake Darpo, Society Hill, SC
Cost: $100 (no charge to spouses of Darlington County SO deputies and CO’s)

LOGOWEAR

Have a few ballcaps in stock. $20 plus shipping (where applicable).

NEW LOCAL DEALER

I recently received the following from Jason Cox, one of the co-owners of Front Sight Arms Company:

“FSAC is a new local gun builder and dealer that works to support local 2A rights and education. As part of that effort, we believe that access to firearms and firearms training are extremely important in today’s political and cultural climate.

Jason and Charity Cox, the owner and operator of this home based small business, are also Paladin alumni. It is our opinion that Paladin Training provides the highest value and quality in firearms and concealed carry training in the Pee Dee. We’d like to add even more value to your training by offering free transfers of guns bought online at internet gun stores.

Other opportunities to save on FSAC AR-15 rifles will come to Paladin trainees this fall.”

Check them out on Facebook at Front Sight Arms Co.

PRECISION RIFLE 2 CLASS – 10 September

We’ve been asked by several Basic Precision Rifle attendees to offer “the next level” of precision rifle training. Paladin is excited to announce Precision Rifle 2. Here are some details:

8 hour class (all on the range)
Prerequisite: Basic Precision Rifle
Engage targets out to and beyond 1,000 yards
Shooting from several practical, improvised positions using available props
More in-depth discussions on ballistic apps
Wind reading
Ranging targets
Drills to increase your speed and efficiency
Limited class size

Expectations:

Bring a zeroed precision rifle with tactical scope and bipod.
Bring a good dope chart for your rifle/ammo combination (what we gave you at your Basic Precision Rifle class is fine as long as you haven’t changed ammo or scope height.)
That you have a good understanding of your rifle and scope and be capable of making your own adjustments from our wind/elevation calls.

Required items:

Eye/ear pro
100 rounds match ammo
Dope card
Shooting (bean) bag
Backpack
Hydration/lunch/snacks (No nearby stores)

Optional items:

Binoculars
Spotting scope
Sack chair
Rain gear

Event Details:

When: 10 SEP / 8am – 5 pm
Where: Maxton, NC (just over the state line from Dillon)
Cost: $175

A deposit of $100 will hold your spot in the class and can be submitted via Paypal to swindham4@aol.com or check/cash to Scott Windham. Please include name and class with your payment.

For questions, please feel free to contact either instructor:

Scott Windham scott.windham@santeecooper.com

Ashton Johnson Ashton.johnson@santeecooper.com

Edition 70

I hope you and your team are well and continuing to prepare. 2016 is shaping up to be an interesting year.

We’ve got room in the Defensive Carbine 1 class this weekend. If you can’t make both days, no problem. All the heavy lifting is done on Day 1 and you can train that day with us for 60% of the regular tuition. Contact me if you have questions: PALADIN

At this moment, I’m planning to take the months of June, July and August off and work on personal projects. I’m leaving the window open to do a private class or two. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you’re interested in putting together a class.

That’s the plan. Of course, plans are always subject to being OBE.

Below you’ll find a link to the test of personal defensive ammunition that the folks at LUCKY GUNNER did. It answers so many questions about the performance of today’s defensive handgun ammunition, I’ve put the link in the ‘regular features’ section, along with that to the test they did previously on STEEL v BRASS? ammunition for AR’s. Both are interesting and well done.

How many rounds thru your AR? If approaching the 5K mark, you might want to take a look at the post on bolt life expectancy linked below.

Go to the post office? Who doesn’t? Have a firearm in your car when you do? Who doesn’t? Read on.

Please continue to train and get ready; physically, mentally and spiritually!

Train hard! Put God first!

SteveDVC/I H S

CHURCH SECURITY ON FACEBOOK

I’ve established a FaceBook page for area church security team members and administrative people to congregate and exchange intel, etc. Because of the potential for sensitive information to be discussed, “Pee Dee Church Security Association” is a ‘secret’ page and you can only join if added by a member or by invitation. If you’re on church staff and concerned about security, or if you’re on a church security team and would like to be in the group, contact me and tell me where you’re a member. Soon as I get confirmation from the church I’ll hook you up.

WHICH DEFENSIVE HANDGUN AMMO IS BEST?

Check this out:RESULTS

INSPECT THOSE AR-15 BOLTS!

Check out the pictorial evidence of failure to inspect here:
http://weaponsman.com/?p=31194

Note that, at least in some cases, the guns were still functioning with broken bolts. Sometimes, however, broken off pieces go places that cause problems. I’ve seen stoppages and heard of unintentional discharges.

Clean and inspect!

Weapons Man… interesting blog.

NO POSSESSION ON USPS PROPERTY

‘Plaintiff Tab Bonidy, who has a concealed-carry permit under Colorado law, sued the United States Postal Service (USPS) challenging 39 C.F.R. § 232.1 (l), which prohibits the storage and carriage of firearms on USPS property. Bonidy claims the regulation is unconstitutional as applied to him because it violates his Second Amendment right to (1) bring his gun into the United States Post Office building in Avon, Colorado, and (2) store the gun in the post office parking lot while he picks up his mail.’

The above is taken directly from a recent 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision and is a more concise setup than I could write. Bonidy’s challenge resulted in a District Court decision that the statute cited above is constitutional insofar as it makes illegal the carrying of firearms for personal defense INTO a Post Office, but is UNconstitutional when it outlaws simply having a firearm in the PO parking lot.

The feds appealed and the 10th Circuit decided that that part of the District Court’s decision regarding possession on USPS property was wrong and it IS illegal to have a firearm INSIDE YOUR CAR. The SCOTUS decided not to hear Bonidy’s appeal, in effect engraving the 10th CCOA decision in stone.

I’m not telling you not to have a firearm in your car when you visit your local PO. I’m not even telling you not to carry a concealed firearm when you go inside. You’re an adult and can make your own cost / benefit analysis. Just understand that, if caught and prosecuted, you could be found guilty of a felony in federal court.

But, I am certain of this: If you decide to obey this law, and if someone attacks you while you’re walking to or from the PO or while in the lobby, you’re going to really regret not treating that statute with what it deserves — contempt.

“Laws are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools.” — Harry Day

You can read the decision here:

https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/opinions/13/13-1374.pdf

SC CWP UPDATE

We plan to do a SC CWP class late in May. I’ll let you know via the newsletter soon as a date is confirmed. If you’re interested in putting together a private class during the week, contact me.

Edition 69

I hope you and your team are well and continuing to prepare. 2016 is shaping up to be an interesting year. If you’ve been considering the purchase of an AR15 / AK47, I would strongly encourage you to invest in one soon.

Don’t forget the indispensable items like red dot sight, ammunition, sling, ammunition, extra magazines, ammunition. And don’t forget ammunition.

I have strong and hard earned opinions on what makes a good AR… not so much on the AK. Just don’t have the trigger time on that platform. If you want to know what I think a good AR looks like, contact me.
Be sure to put in the e-mail how much you’re willing to spend. Don’t put this off.

On the subject of .223 / 5.56 NATO ammunition: If you can, buy FEDERAL M193 or PMC Bronze 223A for training and general purpose shooting people. If you need to shoot people on the other side of barriers, like cars and walls, get FEDERAL M855 (‘green tip’). If you need to shoot people on the other side of barriers in style (and can afford it), keep a mag charged with Remington HOG HAMMER or Speer GOLD DOT.

In my opinion, you should stay away from the Russian made ammunition. Not only are there QC issues, but the bi-metallic projectile is hard on the bore. See the test here and decide for yourself: BRASS v STEEL

I hope you and your family are blessed in 2016. Please continue to train and get ready; physically, mentally and spiritually!

Train hard! Put God first!

Steve

DVC/I H S

LAST DAY TO MAKE A TAX EXEMPT DONATION TO PALADIN TRAINING

As if you’ve got any money left after reading the exhortation above. Seriously, Paladin Training, Inc. is a tax exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS guidelines. All donations to Paladin Training are deductible.

If you can, please help us provide even more training and training ammunition to local law enforcement officers in 2016. Like us, they’re probably going to need it. Unless designated otherwise, all donations go to provide training and training ammunition for local LE and SCARNG.

You can use PayPal payable to steve@paladintraining.com.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: SC CWP

Beginning in 2016 I’m scheduling one SC CWP class every two months rather than monthly as we’ve done in the past. Our first open SC CWP class will be 29 & 30 JAN.

FLORENCE GUN SHOW

Come see us the Civic Center gun show on 9 & 10 January. We’ll be at the usual place, just inside the entrance to the main hall.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

We hope to have these 3″ x 8″ decals in by the 9 & 10 JAN gun show:

Let LE know you’ve got their back.

Cost is $6 each or two for $10. If you’d like one / some, contact me.

1st QTR 2016 TRAINING CALENDAR

15 & 16 JAN: Church Security Team / Darlington, SC / Closed
21 & 22 JAN: Private SC CWP / Florence, SC / Closed
29 & 30 JAN: SC CWP / Florence, SC / Open / $80
6 FEB: Defensive Shotgun 1 / Darlington, SC / Open / $200
19 & 20 FEB: Private SC CWP / Charleston, SC / Closed
19 – 21 FEB: Precision Rifle 1 / Darlington, SC / Open / $TBA
27 & 28 FEB: Defensive Handgun 1 / Darlington, SC / Open / $300
5 & 6 MAR: Basic Carbine Operator / Darlington, SC / Open / $250
18 & 19 MAR: SC CWP / Darlington, SC / Open / $80

CLASS & AMMO GIVEAWAY; RAFFLE 2015.2

Raffle 2015-2 is still ongoing. The winner gets a seat in any two day defensive carbine class plus up to 500 rounds of ammunition to use in the class. Calibers are restricted to either 5.56 or 7.62 x 39. The winning ticket can be worth almost $500.

Tickets cost $20 and no more than 50 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held when the 50th ticket is sold.

LOGO CAPS AVAILABLE

We’ve got another shipment of Port Authority ball caps in. Choices are:

OD w/ full color logo
Khaki w/ full color logo
OD with black logo

All have the Paladin motto UTRINQUE PARATUS on the back.

Cost: $20 (plus $5 shipping if applicable)

PRICES IN EFFECT 1st QTR 2016

Street price first, followed by the discount for Paladin alumni:

Intro to Defensive Handguns (IDH) – $50 (no change)
Utah CWP – $50 (decrease from $70)
SC CWP – $80 (no change)

Note: We’re considering teaching a combined SC / UT class at some point.

Defensive Handgun 1 (DH1) $300 / $250
Defensive Handgun 2 (DH2) $300 / $250
Low Light Handgun (LLH) $200 / $175
Defensive Shotgun 1 (DS1) $300 / $250
Basic Carbine Operator (BCO) $250 / $175
Defensive Carbine 1 (DC1) $300 / $250
Defensive Carbine 2 (DC2) $300 / $250
Urban Break Contact (UBC) $600 / $500

Full time LEO will still receive a 50% discount on defensive firearm classes.

Active duty military (including SCARNG / SCANG) will continue to get a 100% discount on all defensive firearm classes.

Edition 67

Don’t forget the indispensable items like red dot sight, ammunition, sling, ammunition, extra magazines, ammunition. And don’t forget ammunition.

I have strong and hard earned opinions on what makes a good AR… not so much on the AK. Just don’t have the trigger time on that platform. If you want to know what I think a good AR looks like, let me know.
Be sure to put in the e-mail how much you’re willing to spend. Don’t put this off.

I hope you and your family are blessed in 2016. Please continue to train and get ready; physically, mentally and spiritually!

Train hard! Put God first!

Steve

DVC/I H S

Last Day to Make a Tax Exempt Donation to Paladin Training

You can use PayPal payable to steve@paladintraining.com.

Important Notice: SC CWP

Beginning in 2016 I’m scheduling one SC CWP class every two months rather than monthly as we’ve done in the past. Our first open SC CWP class will be 29 & 30 JAN.

Florence Gun Show

Come see us the Civic Center gun show on 9 & 10 January. We’ll be at the usual place, just inside the entrance to the main hall.

Show Your Support

We hope to have these 3″ x 8″ decals in by the 9 & 10 JAN gun show:

Let LE know you’ve got their back.

Cost is $6 each or two for $10. If you’d like one / some, let me know.

1st QTR 2016 Training Calendar

~~15 & 16 JAN: Church Security Team / Darlington, SC / Closed~~
~~21 & 22 JAN: Private SC CWP / Florence, SC / Closed~~
29 & 30 JAN: SC CWP / Florence, SC / Open / $80
6 FEB: Defensive Shotgun 1 / Darlington, SC / Open / $200
~~19 & 20 FEB: Private SC CWP / Charleston, SC / Closed~~
19 – 21 FEB: Precision Rifle 1 / Darlington, SC / Open / $TBA
27 & 28 FEB: Defensive Handgun 1 / Darlington, SC / Open / $300
5 & 6 MAR: Basic Carbine Operator / Darlington, SC / Open / $250
18 & 19 MAR: SC CWP / Darlington, SC / Open / $80

Class & Ammo Giveaway; Reffle 2015.2

Tickets cost $20 and no more than 50 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held when the 50th ticket is sold.

Logo Caps Available

We’ve got another shipment of Port Authority ball caps in. Choices are:

OD w/ full color logo
Khaki w/ full color logo
OD with black logo

All have the Paladin motto UTRINQUE PARATUS on the back.
Cost: $20 (plus $5 shipping if applicable)

Prices in Effect 1st QTR 2016

Street price first, followed by the discount for Paladin alumni:

Intro to Defensive Handguns (IDH) – $50 (no change)
Utah CWP – $50 (decrease from $70)
SC CWP – $80 (no change)

Note: We’re considering teaching a combined SC / UT class at some point.

Defensive Handgun 1 (DH1)       $300 / $250
Defensive Handgun 2 (DH2)      $300 / $250
Low Light Handgun (LLH)          $200 / $175
Defensive Shotgun 1 (DS1)         $300 / $250
Basic Carbine Operator (BCO) $250 / $175
Defensive Carbine 1 (DC1)          $300 / $250
Defensive Carbine 2 (DC2)         $300 / $250
Urban Break Contact (UBC)      $600 / $500

Full time LEO will still receive a 50% discount on defensive firearm classes.

Active duty military (including SCARNG / SCANG) will continue to get a 100% discount on all defensive firearm classes.

Edition 68

I hope you and your team are well and continuing to prepare.

November is a busy month for us. Please check out the training calendar and class descriptions / justifications below. Don’t forget that a class makes a great Christmas gift.

Tickets cost $20 and no more than 50 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held when the 50th ticket is sold.

Remember that Paladin Training, Inc. is a tax-exempt non-profit under IRS Section 501(c)(3). All gifts are tax deductible.

Administrative note to class organizers: If you’re the organizer for a private class, don’t count on your people actually showing up for the class UNLESS YOU HAVE THEIR MONEY. Yeah, I know it’s your family and they wouldn’t do you that way. Listen, if Billy Graham and the Pope said they were coming to a class, I wouldn’t believe either one of them until I had their money in my hands. And that’s my advice to you.

Please continue to train and get ready; physically, mentally and spiritually!

Train hard! Put God first!

Steve

DVC/I H S

INTRO TO DEFENSIVE HANDGUNS TONIGHT

As the name hopefully suggests, this is a great class for the person just getting into handguns. If you don’t know the difference between a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol, this class is for you. There’s no shooting, but lots of hands on training and instruction. We’ll spend an hour on gun safety, an hour on ammunition, the 3rd hour learning to handle and operate revolvers and the last hour doing the same with semi-autos.

One of the greatest benefits of the class is realized when you go to buy your first defensive handgun: You’ll start out much higher on the learning curve than the average first-time buyer who is dependent on either gunshop personnel or friends to steer him in the right direction.

JUST ONE EXAMPLE

What I often hear: “I need to get a revolver because I don’t have the strength to rack the slide on a semi-automatic.”
What we usually find: You DO have the strength to rack the slide; you’re just not using your strength efficiently… which is the PC way of saying, ‘You’re doing it wrong’. I can’t count the number of people that found they COULD rack the slide on a semi-auto once they were taught the correct way to do it.

Since there’s no live ammunition present during the hands on portion, this is a safe, stress-free way to learn how to handle and operate handguns.

Cost is $50. If you take this class, I’ll take $25 off your SC CWP class tuition.

Contact me to let me know you’re coming or if you need more information.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: SC CWP

I’m seriously considering cutting back on SC CWP classes beginning the 1st QTR of 2016 so that we can devote more range time to our defensive handgun, shotgun and carbine classes. Subject to change, but I’m thinking maybe one a quarter.

We have two SC CWP classes remaining in 2015: 6 & 7 NOVEMBER (this weekend) and 11 & 12 DECEMBER. We have room in both.

If you want to train for your SC CWP with us, don’t put it off.

DEFENSIVE CARBINE 2 – 14 & 15 NOV

The curricula for our carbine classes represent building blocks:

Basic Carbine Operator BCO is almost 100% technical in nature. The student learns the basics of weapon handling and marksmanship using the three standard positions – standing, kneeling and prone. The emphasis is on technical perfection in the application of the fundamentals. Speed is secondary.

DC1 Fighting techniques are introduced in Defensive Carbine 1. Learning the proper balance between speed and a ‘just good enough’ application of the fundamentals is the goal. DC1 is also where movement and use of cover is introduced.

DC2 Defensive Carbine 2 is the basic two person team tactics class. Communication between team members is a critical skill. Students learn the basic maneuver techniques – traveling, bounding and bounding overwatch. Where the focus is on a defensive mindset in DC1, DC2 hammers aggression — closing with and killing the enemy. It is the perfect class for the LEO preparing for an active killer scenario, the husband and wife getting ready for the coming America, or… you get the drift.

Like all our defensive firearm classes, low light training will be conducted to end Day 1.

DC2 is a hard prerequisite for the UBC in December.

Cost: $300 ($250 for Paladin alum / $150 for full-time LEO / $0 for active duty military and SCARNG)
Prerequisites: DC1 or outside equivalent
Location: Lake Darpo, Society Hill, SC

Contact me with questions

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS III

The next Emergency Preparedness meeting will be held Thursday, 19 NOV, from 7pm to 10pm. As before, we will meet in the FBT Chapel.

Please let me know if you plan to attend so we can have the room setup properly.

LOW LIGHT HANDGUN

Our once a year LLH will be on Saturday, 28 NOVEMBER. The class starts at 12 noon and ends approximately 12 midnight. This should give us 5 hours plus of daylight to learn and rehearse low light handgun fighting techniques and about 6 hours in the dark to practice them.

I don’t know anywhere else you can get a dedicated low-light defensive handgun class, even though the odds are that you’re more likely to need a handgun at night, or someplace it’s dark, than in broad daylight where 99.9% of all training takes place.

Paladin has been conducting low light training in every defensive firearm class since our beginning in 2000. We’ve learned a lot in that time. Seriously consider this class. Where else can you go to learn and practice low light techniques live fire?

A huge thank you to the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office for allowing us to push the training envelope.

Cost: $200 ($175 for Paladin alum / $100 for full time LEO / $0 for active duty military and SCARNG)
Prerequisite: Defensive Handgun 1 or outside equivalent
Location: Lake Darpo, Society Hill, SC

LOGO CAPS AVAILABLE

We’ve got another shipment of Port Authority ball caps in. Choices are:

OD w/ full color logo
Khaki w/ full color logo
OD with black logo

All have the Paladin motto UTRINQUE PARATUS on the back.

Cost: $20 (plus $5 shipping if applicable)

PRICE INCREASES IN EFFECT 3rd QTR 2015

Street price first, followed by the discount for Paladin alumni:

Intro to Defensive Handguns (IDH) – $50 (no change)
Utah CWP – $75 / $50 (no change)
SC CWP – $80 (no change)

Note: We’re considering teaching a combined SC / UT class at some point.

Defensive Handgun 1 (DH1) $300 / $250
Defensive Handgun 2 (DH2) $300 / $250
Low Light Handgun (LLH) $200 / $175
Defensive Shotgun 1 (DS1) $300 / $250
Basic Carbine Operator (BCO) $250 / $175
Defensive Carbine 1 (DC1) $300 / $250
Defensive Carbine 2 (DC2) $300 / $250
Urban Break Contact (UBC) $600 / $500

Full time LEO will still receive a 50% discount on defensive firearm classes.

Active duty military (including SCARNG / SCANG) will continue to get a 100% discount on all defensive firearm classes.

Edition 66

I hope you and your team are well and continuing to prepare.

November is a busy month for us. Please check out the training calendar and class descriptions / justifications below. Don’t forget that a class makes a great Christmas gift.

Tickets cost $20 and no more than 50 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held when the 50th ticket is sold.

Remember that Paladin Training, Inc. is a tax-exempt non-profit under IRS Section 501(c)(3). All gifts are tax deductible.

Please continue to train and get ready; physically, mentally and spiritually!

Train hard! Put God first!

Steve

DVC/I H S

Intro to Defensive Handguns Tonight

IDH tonight at our house: 2030 Ralston Court in Florence. I need to know if you’re planning to attend.

JUST ONE EXAMPLE

Since there’s no live ammunition present during the hands on portion, this is a safe, stress-free way to learn how to handle and operate handguns.

Cost is $50. If you take this class, I’ll take $25 off your SC CWP class tuition.

Contact me to let me know you’re coming or if you need more information.

Important Notice: SC CWP

We have two SC CWP classes remaining in 2015: 6 & 7 NOVEMBER (this weekend) and 11 & 12 DECEMBER. We have room in both.

If you want to train for your SC CWP with us, don’t put it off.

Defensive Carbine 2 – 14 & 15 NOV

The curricula for our carbine classes represent building blocks:

Basic Carbine Operator

BCO is almost 100% technical in nature. The student learns the basics of weapon handling and marksmanship using the three standard positions – standing, kneeling and prone. The emphasis is on technical perfection in the application of the fundamentals. Speed is secondary.

DC1

Fighting techniques are introduced in Defensive Carbine 1. Learning the proper balance between speed and a ‘just good enough’ application of the fundamentals is the goal. DC1 is also where movement and use of cover is introduced.

DC2

Defensive Carbine 2 is the basic two person team tactics class. Communication between team members is a critical skill. Students learn the basic maneuver techniques – traveling, bounding and bounding overwatch. Where the focus is on a defensive mindset in DC1, DC2 hammers aggression — closing with and killing the enemy. It is the perfect class for the LEO preparing for an active killer scenario, the husband and wife getting ready for the coming America, or… you get the drift.

Like all our defensive firearm classes, low light training will be conducted to end Day 1.

DC2 is a hard prerequisite for the UBC in December.

Cost: $300 ($250 for Paladin alum / $150 for full-time LEO / $0 for active duty military and SCARNG)
Prerequisites: DC1 or outside equivalent
Location: Lake Darpo, Society Hill, SC

Contact me with questions.

Emergency Preparedness III

The next Emergency Preparedness meeting will be held Thursday, 19 NOV, from 7pm to 10pm. As before, we will meet in the FBT Chapel.

Please let me know if you plan to attend so we can have the room setup properly.

Low Light Handgun

A huge thank you to the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office for allowing us to push the training envelope.

Cost: $200 ($175 for Paladin alum / $100 for full time LEO / $0 for active duty military and SCARNG)
Prerequisite: Defensive Handgun 1 or outside equivalent
Location: Lake Darpo, Society Hill, SC

Logo Caps Available

We’ve got another shipment of Port Authority ball caps in. Choices are:

OD w/ full color logo
Khaki w/ full color logo
OD with black logo

All have the Paladin motto UTRINQUE PARATUS on the back.
Cost: $20 (plus $5 shipping if applicable)

Price Increase in Effect 3rd QTR 2015

Street price first, followed by the discount for Paladin alumni:

Intro to Defensive Handguns (IDH) – $50 (no change)
Utah CWP – $75 / $50 (no change)
SC CWP – $80 (no change)

Note: We’re considering teaching a combined SC / UT class at some point.

Full time LEO will still receive a 50% discount on defensive firearm classes.

Active duty military (including SCARNG / SCANG) will continue to get a 100% discount on all defensive firearm classes.

Edition 65

I hope you and your team are well and continuing to prepare.

As reported in the last newsletter, Garrette Croxton won the prize of one seat in any one of our two-day defensive firearm classes, plus the ammunition required for the class in Raffle 2015.1. Garrette generously gave his seat and ammunition to Joe Kinard, a deputy with the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office. Thank you, Garrette, for helping us perform our primary mission of providing low / no-cost first tier firearms and tactical training to local law enforcement. Joe put the gift to good use in last weekend’s DC-1.

We’ve now started Raffle 2015.2. Same deal as before: The winner gets a seat in any two-day defensive firearm class plus up to 500 rounds of ammunition for the class. The rifle ammunition is restricted to either 5.56 or 7.62 x 39. $20 per ticket, maximum of 50 tickets sold. Not a bad bet on a gift that has a maximum value of almost $500.

Remember that Paladin Training, Inc. is a tax-exempt non-profit under IRS Section 501(c)(3). All gifts are tax deductible.

Please continue to train and get ready; physically, mentally and spiritually!

Train hard! Put God first!

Steve

DVC/I H S

Emergency Preparedness II

The next Emergency Preparedness meeting will be held Thursday, 8 OCT, from 7pm to 10pm. As before, we will meet in the FBT Chapel.

Please let me know if you plan to attend so we can have the room setup properly.

Dr. Robert Moore will conduct his ‘Tactical Medical Care’ class. This is a great class and covers a subject everyone should be familiar with, but few are.

We’ll also review some of the information covered in the first meeting.

We had about 50 people for the first Emergency Preparedness meeting. Attendees were given the opportunity to complete a survey asking which of the following events they were most concerned about:
1. Crime / General Disorder
2. EMP Event
3. Financial Collapse
4. Natural Disaster
5. Terrorism

Most of those in attendance indicated they were most concerned about crime / disorder and natural disasters. Future discussions will consider this when addressing the four essentials:
Water
Food
Shelter
Security

Urgent: Basic Precision Rifle Update

Scott tells me there are two cancellations for the BPR scheduled for 9 – 11 OCTOBER. Contact Scott at 843-858-0360 if you’re interested.

Below is the write up for the previous class (when it was called Basic Designated Marksman) from Edition 64:

BDM – I is now history. What a great class! Scott and Ashton did an admirable job. I believe every student came away confident in his / her ability to get first round hits on targets out to 600 yards. This is a Big Thing. If you’re the typical AR-15 owner that has never fired at a target more than 100 yards away, think of it as a 600% increase in the usefulness of your carbine.

Equipment

Rifles / calibers / number used:
AR-15 / 5.56 NATO / 6
Sako TRG-21 / .308 Winchester / 1
POF AR-10 / 7.62 NATO / 1
AIAW bolt gun / .300 WSM / 1
VEPR / 7.62 x 54R / 1
SVD / 7.62 x 54R / 1

Winner of the class shoot off was Ben Snipes shooting
an Accuracy International in .300 WSM. Last February, Ben and his shooting partner Nate West were added to Paladin’s list of adjunct instructors.

The Number 2 shooter, ‘JW’, shot an AR15. Don’t know the make or caliber.

Number 3, Kevin McKie, did a great job with the POF semi-auto in 7.62 NATO. Kevin used relatively inexpensive Privi Partizan .308 Match ammunition in the AR-10.

Two of the AR-15’s were by relatively local (Apex, NC) maker, Barnes Precision Manufacturing. BPM makes a first-tier AR15 and these two students did a fine job with theirs. Pat Lee, another of our instructors currently doing Executive Protection work in Afghanistan has seen BPM M4’s in use with US Special Forces over there.

Check them out at BARNES PRECISION and tell Andrew I sent you.

What I Learned

At this stage in my career as a student, when I go to a class I count it as time / money well spent if I pick up ONE useful thing to bring back and work on. Keeping in mind I already have some experience shooting NRA High- Power Rifle at Known Distances from 200 to 1000 yards, here’s what I took away from BDM – I:
1. A new prone position
2. Proper use of the bipod
3. Using the scope reticle for range estimation, hold-over (distance) and hold-off (wind)
In other words, for me the class was a much greater than usual value in time and money spent. I have much to work on. I’m sure those students that had never before shot at targets further than 100 or maybe 200 yards have a much longer list.

What’s Next?

Future BPR’s will be 20 hours long instead of 12. Tentative dates and times for BPR – II: 9 thru 11 OCT
Lake Darpo: Friday evening from 6 pm to 10 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm
Aynor, SC: Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm.
Rounds: 150
Cost: $325

BDM – I filled quickly and had a standby list. If you’d like to take the next one, contact Scott ASAP at 843-858-0360.

After Action: Defensive Carbine-1

We had a great DC1 class last weekend. Half of the class was either LE or SWAT-EMT and, as always, they contributed much to the class being exceptional.

I think some of the LE guys were surprised at the dedication (and skill level) of the private citizens who were there. These classes, where we have a mix of PC and LEO, always leave me encouraged because of the almost always positive interaction between the two groups. People, we’re in what’s coming together. I say to both of you: Please don’t see the other as the enemy until they’ve earned that title.

We started with static trigger control drills and quickly got into exercises that combined movement; first zigs & zags to both sides, then turns to both sides, ending with turns to the rear. All of that on the ‘small dots’ to slow students down and force them to concentrate on technique. Then we did it all again on the ‘large dots’ to introduce students to the concept of ‘good enough’.
Somewhere in there scans were added, we went from emergency reloads to tactical reloads, we added movement to cover, consolidating gear (bumping mags forward), natural point of aim was constantly harped upon, etc., etc.

Students eventually learned to ‘play the song of my people’ (also known as The Seven Steps to Success):

1. Shoot the Threat to the ground
2. Make certain the Threat is gone
3. Search for other people that need to be shot
4. Move to cover
5. Perform a Tactical Reload
6. Do a self assessment
7. Get your head and your equipment ready to go shoot more people

As always, the MGM Attack Target added a lot, especially to the night exercise. Students were expected to turn 180 degrees to the rear, from the ready use a weapon mounted light to identify a charging target approximately 20 feet away as either Shoot / No-shoot, hit him if necessary at least once, and get off his line of power… all within a 1.5 second standard. Easier than it sounds.

During the night exercise students also engaged the ‘Diamond Formation’ to reinforce movement and Rule 4 issues.

Day 2 began with a review of Day 1. Transition to sidearm drills were added. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some things and I don’t have the LP in front of me. We ended shooting an abbreviated CSAT Standards (25 yards and in) and the Viking Tactics Half and Half drill.

We shot each drill and each of the standards this way against the timer:
First, I shot the drill;
Next, the assistant instructors shot the drill;
Finally, the students shot the drill.

It’s always gratifying to see the students go from ‘No way I can do that’ to ‘I just did that!’ Most everyone successfully performed the most difficult drill: 10 shots into the A zone from 5 yards in 2.5 seconds.

You can see some comments on the class on our FaceBook page: Paladin Training, Inc. While you’re there, I’d appreciate a ‘Like’ if you’re so inclined.

For more details: Defensive Carbine 1

Price Increases in Effect 3rd QTR 2015

Street price first, followed by the discount for Paladin alumni:

Intro to Defensive Handguns (IDH) – $50 (no change)
Utah CWP – $75 / $50 (no change)
SC CWP – $80 (no change)

Note: We’re considering teaching a combined SC / UT class at some point.

Full time LEO will still receive a 50% discount on defensive firearm classes.

Active duty military (including SCARNG / SCANG) will continue to get a 100% discount on all defensive firearm classes.

Edition 64

I hope you and your team are well and continuing to prepare.

I just had Libby draw the winning ticket for Raffle 2015.1: Garrett Croxton won the prize of one seat in any one of our two-day defensive firearm classes, plus the ammunition required for the class. Congratulations, Garrett! I’m looking forward to seeing you in another class!

To all those who purchased chances to win, thank you so much for supporting our mission. Remember that Paladin Training, Inc. is a tax-exempt non-profit under IRS Section 501(c)(3). All gifts are tax deductible.

Please continue to train and get ready; physically, mentally and spiritually!

Train hard! Put God first!

Steve

DVC/I H S

Update: Emergency Preparedness

I hope to have the first meeting the evening of either Tuesday 1 September or Thursday 3 September. At the moment, I’m waiting on a response to my space request. Soon as I get it I’ll send out a bulletin to give everyone as much of a heads up as possible.

Notice: Sheepdog Safety Training Seminar, Mount Pleasant, SC

Christians, especially anyone in a leadership position at a church, should flock (sorry, couldn’t resist) to Seacoast Church in Mount Pleasant, SC for the Sheepdog Safety Training seminar being conducted 28 & 29 AUGUST.

Speakers include LTC Dave Grossman, USA, ret., Jimmy Meeks and Carl Chinn.For more on the seminar: Sheepdog Mount Pleasant

The price of these seminars is usually $99 per person, but for this event, payment of the fee will allow you to bring one additional person AT NO CHARGE.

SC Law Enforcement: The SCCJA will award 8.5 CLEE hours for attending this event.

I’m really looking forward to this. I’ve never met Jimmy Meeks but have greatly enjoyed our recent phone conversations. Dave Grossman is one of the most informative and entertaining speakers I’ve ever heard. I hope to see you there.

To register, please use this link: SEMINAR

Paladin Training will receive a portion of your entry fee if you use this link. And thank you for supporting our mission.

Upcoming Training: Defensive Carbine-1, 26 & 27 SEP

I am SO looking forward to this class. DC-1 is probably my second favorite class after UBC. We have a lot of fun, plus I believe we do it well. If you want to learn how to use your rifle or carbine to defend ‘hearth and home’ from the barbarians, this should be on your calendar. Ditto if you just want to learn how to operate the thing competently.

It is a ‘basic’ class and beginners are welcome. At the same time, experienced shooters will benefit from a refresher in the fundamentals. I’ve been taking and conducting training for more than 40 years and I promise you I still get more benefit from taking the occasional basic class than I do more advanced classes. Beware anything with ‘advanced’ attached to it. What wins fights is the quick and competent application of the basics.

Caveat

Basic Carbine Operator is a soft prerequisite for DC-1, but we don’t force it. With a training envelope of 7 to 300 yards, BCO is THE class to really learn the fundamentals of marksmanship… to get the most, accuracy-wise, from your carbine. From the standpoint of development, I believe it’s better to learn to shoot properly before learning to shoot fast. If you’re new to shooting long guns and skip BCO to go straight to DC-1, I think you’re hurting yourself. But, again, we don’t force it and beginners are welcome.

Expect a lot of movement. We’ll also have a low-light segment and, of course, the dreaded MGM Attack Target will show up and challenge you.

For more details: Defensive Carbine 1

Reminder: Safe Family / Safe Church Crime Prevention Seminar, Hartsville, SC

Terry Gainey and I hope to see you at the First Church of God on Kelleytown Road, Hartsville, SC on 22 AUG.

Full details are in the training bulletin sent out on 5 AUG. Let me know if you didn’t get it and I’ll send you another.

The fee is $20. If you’d like to register:

Don’t forget that payment at the door is $25.

SHOOTING TIP: FOLLOW-THROUGH

Quick review. The seven fundamentals of marksmanship (as we teach them) are:
1. Platform
2. Mount (alternately, Grip when dealing with handguns)
3. Sight Alignment
4. Sight Picture
5. Breath Control
6. Trigger Control
7. Follow-ThroughOf the seven, Sight Alignment and Trigger Control are the most important. Follow-Through is usually given short treatment, so let’s talk about it because it IS important and it incorporates both Sight Alignment and Trigger Control.

Dictionary.com defines ‘Follow-Through’ as:
1. The completion of a motion, as in the stroke of a tennis racket.
2. The portion of such a motion after the ball has been hit.
3. The act of continuing a plan, project, scheme, or the like, to its completion.

I think all three have some relevance here, so I’m going to restate them like this:
1. The completion of an act, as in the act of firing a gun.
2. The portion of such an act after the shot has been fired.
3. The act of continuing a shot to its completion.

Early in my career as a student of the gun, I got the notion that Follow-Through is most important from the standpoint of Number 2 above. That is, Follow-Through is important because you can negatively affect the shot, through movement in the Mount, after the shot has been fired but before the bullet has left the barrel. The advice given by instructors and coaches was usually this: Continue to do what you were doing while the shot was being fired after the shot was fired until the bullet exits the muzzle and you can no longer affect the shot. Being in the service, that advice above was usually delivered with great enthusiasm and much more coarsely.

So, Follow-Through includes the admonition not to add any additional steps or movement into the act of firing a gun. Maintain — as in ‘don’t change’ — your Mount until the sights are back on target and the trigger is prepped.

The most common shooting error charts have a list of 8 things, like ‘heeling’, ‘pushing’, ‘jerking’, etc. Most of the errors listed deal with the accuracy problems caused by the shooter adding movement while the bullet is still in the barrel.

Remember, the purpose of the Mount (Grip) is threefold:
1. To minimize movement of the gun prior to and during the trigger press.
2. To ensure the gun moves in a consistent and repeatable fashion during the recoil impulse.
3. To help the gun return to the target naturally and w/o any additional effort on our part.

There’s more to it

When is a shot complete?
1. The bullet has left the barrel and we cannot influence its flight anymore, good or bad.
2. The sights are back on the target after the recoil impulse.
3. The trigger is prepped (all slack out), ready for a follow up shot should it be necessary.In the context of the typical close range self-defense scenario, Follow-Through has less to do with accuracy than with getting ready for the next shot and that’s critical because, knowing what we know about stopping mechanisms, we can assume the previous shot didn’t immediately stop the attack. It might, though, and that’s why we have to control ourselves along with the trigger. We can’t just start launching rounds downrange in a panic or according to some prearranged plan.

Standard Response?

Back in the day, some taught something called a ‘standard response’, that is, if you had to fire your weapon, you delivered the Standard Response — however many rounds that might be according to the instructor, department policy, etc. — and then evaluated the situation to see if more shots were necessary. As far as I know, reality has caused the Standard Response to go the way of the Dodo Bird. I hope no one teaches that technique anymore. But, if Paladin Training had to verbalize a standard response, it would sound like this:
If someone needs to be shot, begin shooting them immediately and don’t stop shooting them until you’re certain they no longer need to be shot anymore.Yes, that’s semi-tongue-in-cheek, but it hopefully gets across the idea that this is an open ended problem and that we must keep an open mind. Every situation is different. No one knows how many rounds it will take to solve your problem. Add to that the fact that we must, because we’re the Good Guys, account for every bullet fired and you can see that we have to be in control. We’re supposed to believe the sights are aligned on the target — not necessarily perfectly but ‘good enough’ — before we press the trigger. Depending on the accuracy requirements of that particular shot, we can either press the trigger confident, due to our training and experience, that the sights are on the target or we might have to take the time to confirm Sight Alignment with a Sight Picture before taking the shot. It just depends.

So, here’s the sequence of events:
1. The shot has been fired and the bullet is still in the barrel. All the fundamentals to this point have been performed well enough to get a hit. Six fundamentals down, one to go.
Follow-through requires:
2. The Grip / Mount is not changed in any way.
3. The trigger is immediately and aggressively released and allowed to travel forward far enough — with a margin of error — to reset the trigger mechanism. This is begun while the gun is still in recoil.
4. The trigger is brought to the rear until all the slack is out and the trigger mechanism is ‘prepped’ for the next shot, should it be necessary.
5. Our Mount puts the gun back on target without any additional movement or effort on our part.
6. Sight Alignment is achieved and confirmed, if necessary with a Sight Picture.
The shot is now complete.

The Trigger Control technique is called ‘constant contact, reset and prep’. I believe it’s the most effective and efficient way to control the trigger. I’ll talk about it another time.

Review

The marksmanship fundamental Follow-Through requires that we don’t do some things and, of those things we must do, we do them consistently and repeatably from shot to shot.

We don’t add any unnecessary or additional movement to the gun.

We maintain our Mount throughout the recoil impulse, making sure the movement of our trigger finger when performing the constant contact reset and prep trigger control technique doesn’t add any unnecessary or additional movement to the gun. Our trigger finger, and only our trigger finger, moves.

Price Increases in Effect 3rd QTR 2015

Street price first, followed by the discount for Paladin alumni:

Intro to Defensive Handguns (IDH) – $50 (no change)
Utah CWP – $75 / $50 (no change)
SC CWP – $80 (no change)

Note: We’re considering teaching a combined SC / UT class at some point.

Full time LEO will still receive a 50% discount on defensive firearm classes.

Active duty military (including SCARNG / SCANG) will continue to get a 100% discount on all defensive firearm classes.