CSAT 2 day Pistol/Rifle Operator course
Apr 6, 2015 9:29:51 GMT -5
Hawkeye, omnivorous, and 1 more like this
Post by waffenmacht on Apr 6, 2015 9:29:51 GMT -5
March 28, 2015. At 0800 it was about 40F, by 1600 it would be close to 80F. We arrived at the beautiful and well equipped range at 0730 and by 0800 we were all assembled, kitted out and receiving a briefing from Howe. There were 24 students and about 13 instructors. The instructors go through a 6 day course, the last two days they work with a new class (us). This means there’s an instructor for every 2 students, which is VERY helpful. Howe runs a cold range, which means weapons are unloaded every time we come off the firing line. This makes for a lot of loading and unloading, which builds weapons manipulation drills (something a few of the students needed). We used two types of targets for all the drills but they were both just variants of the CSAT target. This target has a “spine box” which is a rectangle that goes from the high thoracic to the bottom of the ribcage, measuring about 6” x19”. We started on the 7 yard line; this is where 90% of the pistol drills occur. All day Saturday we polished handgun skills. Howe runs handguns at the high ready, something we weren’t familiar with but soon mastered. All the basics were covered: loading, stance, NPOA (natural point of aim), draw, press, forming the triangle, front sight alignment, trigger pull, second sight picture, follow through, scan, and reholster/unloading procedures. These were then worked in to the standards, which I will post a link to below. After every drill, we would jam mags, hydrate (water in, water out), and huddle up to receive instruction from Howe and the other instructors on the next set of drills. Usually a demo was performed, questions were answered and then we would get back on the line to go hot. With a little gear adjustment I was able to make all the standards… not every single time but most of the time. The four of us (myself, JC, Jeremy, and Mike) were split up throughout the line, but I believe they were making the standards as well. We moved to another range and shot steel from various barricade positions at 25 yds. Not easy, but doable. The steel was the same size as the “spine box” in the CSAT targets 6”x19”. There were quite a few law enforcement in the group, probably 2/3rd’s… from all over the country. We represented VERY well. By the end of the day we had fired every bit of 400rds handgun and I know my skills had improved. Everyone agreed, by the end of day one…money well spent.
March 29, 2015. Temps same as before; it was a beautiful day. We finally get to run rifles. Everyone is pumped. Of about 38 total participants, I am the only one NOT running an AR. However the Scar was really no different sans the dust cover so it was not an issue. After the initial briefing we got on the 7, loaded rifles and checked zero and offset. Just as with handguns, the fundamentals were checked and practiced as well as loading and unloading procedures for the rifle. We headed back to the 100 yd line and tweaked zero. Reynolds had a new 11.5” carbine, one he got it zeroed he was GTG. Everyone else was close with only minor adjustments needed. Howe prefers a 100yd zero on carbines, but I was close enough with my 300yd zero to get by just fine. While on the 100 we worked on prone; rapid fire and slow fire. Then going from standing to prone and engaging while on the timer (my ribs are bruised from this). We worked on kneeling, and shot from standing to kneeling at 75 and 50 yds, again on the timer. NPOA is important to make these times. The rest of the day was spent on the 7 yd line, with various timed drills which are linked below. We worked on transitions and continued to represent VERY well. It was sandy and both handgun and rifle mags got filled with sand, but I don’t think any of us had any issues. There was one PD rifle that completely lost its handguard, and another rifle that had a lock up due to steel case ammo and had to be mortared. But from I saw, malfunctions down the line seemed to be minimal. I have to say, this is probably the best instruction I have ever received, even if it was a basic course.
Paul Howe is an impressive instructor. Fairly soft spoken, he will make suggestions, and then leave you. He will come back later and see if you have ignored, or heeded his input. If you have complied with his suggestion you get more input. If not, not a word is said he just continues down the line looking for those seeking to better themselves. It helps having an instructor the just spent 4 days training under Howe… they can give you suggestions and reminders too, telling you what Howe expects, etc. It’s hard for me to describe Howe’s personality. Maybe others can better put into words then I. He is soft spoken, gentle, more of an observer then a speaker, he has a short stature, but you know…drop of a dime he will send souls to their maker, no hesitation, no emotion, just matter of fact.
This is what you see when entering the CSAT range
Howe demonstrating position Sul
Jeremy taping targets
Howe shooting steel at 25 yds from behind barricades
My PX4 freshly refinished before the class
Day 2, Howe demonstrates correct prone position; what's important and what's not important
Howe explains the design of his CSAT rifle targets
My rifle
Hydrate on the 100yd line
More class instruction
The instructors for the class (apparently with Howe mustaches)
Our crew at the end of day 2
March 29, 2015. Temps same as before; it was a beautiful day. We finally get to run rifles. Everyone is pumped. Of about 38 total participants, I am the only one NOT running an AR. However the Scar was really no different sans the dust cover so it was not an issue. After the initial briefing we got on the 7, loaded rifles and checked zero and offset. Just as with handguns, the fundamentals were checked and practiced as well as loading and unloading procedures for the rifle. We headed back to the 100 yd line and tweaked zero. Reynolds had a new 11.5” carbine, one he got it zeroed he was GTG. Everyone else was close with only minor adjustments needed. Howe prefers a 100yd zero on carbines, but I was close enough with my 300yd zero to get by just fine. While on the 100 we worked on prone; rapid fire and slow fire. Then going from standing to prone and engaging while on the timer (my ribs are bruised from this). We worked on kneeling, and shot from standing to kneeling at 75 and 50 yds, again on the timer. NPOA is important to make these times. The rest of the day was spent on the 7 yd line, with various timed drills which are linked below. We worked on transitions and continued to represent VERY well. It was sandy and both handgun and rifle mags got filled with sand, but I don’t think any of us had any issues. There was one PD rifle that completely lost its handguard, and another rifle that had a lock up due to steel case ammo and had to be mortared. But from I saw, malfunctions down the line seemed to be minimal. I have to say, this is probably the best instruction I have ever received, even if it was a basic course.
Paul Howe is an impressive instructor. Fairly soft spoken, he will make suggestions, and then leave you. He will come back later and see if you have ignored, or heeded his input. If you have complied with his suggestion you get more input. If not, not a word is said he just continues down the line looking for those seeking to better themselves. It helps having an instructor the just spent 4 days training under Howe… they can give you suggestions and reminders too, telling you what Howe expects, etc. It’s hard for me to describe Howe’s personality. Maybe others can better put into words then I. He is soft spoken, gentle, more of an observer then a speaker, he has a short stature, but you know…drop of a dime he will send souls to their maker, no hesitation, no emotion, just matter of fact.
This is what you see when entering the CSAT range
Howe demonstrating position Sul
Jeremy taping targets
Howe shooting steel at 25 yds from behind barricades
My PX4 freshly refinished before the class
Day 2, Howe demonstrates correct prone position; what's important and what's not important
Howe explains the design of his CSAT rifle targets
My rifle
Hydrate on the 100yd line
More class instruction
The instructors for the class (apparently with Howe mustaches)
Our crew at the end of day 2
)
