I am in my 50s and have been carrying a concealed handgun on and off since 1990. Consistently every day for the last six (6) years. I have read a number of books by Massad Ayoob, John Farnum, Jeff Cooper and others. I’ve studied a number of instructional DVD’s as well. I also practiced what I thought were the correct ways to draw and shoot. My training even included how I thought through the reasons behind why I carried a concealed weapon. But I had a nagging fear that I couldn’t shake that I’d missed something or things weren’t as they seemed.
On April 20, 2017 I read SurvivalBlog.com (SB) like I do almost every day. I read the editor’s post on the upcoming training events that Max Velocity Tactical (MVT) had scheduled for May and June. I went to the MVT website via the SurvivalBlog link, and was impressed with what I saw and read on the MVT website. It was enough that I immediately registered for the Defensive Concealed Handgun class that was scheduled for May 13-14, 2017.
The Class
The first couple of hours on the first day (Saturday) was a presentation / discussion that covered safety, holsters, belts, magazine carriers, “dressing around the gun”, etc.; topics that I’d read a lot about and had worked to incorporate into my daily routine. Though I was impressed by the depth of Scott’s (the instructor) knowledge and his delivery, I began to think that I’d been doing things right and that I was in a “good place”. I couldn’t have been more wrong…..
We moved to the range, and Scott cautioned again about this being a “hot range”. Scott then evaluated each of the class members’ choice of handgun and their “skills” in handling their weapon. Though it was a small class there was a wide range of skills and proficiency. Mine weren’t anywhere near where I thought they were. After the initial evaluation, Scott informed me privately that I had developed a number of bad training habits. These could potentially get me and others badly hurt or killed, but that, if I was willing, he would help me “cut off those scars”. He stressed that it wouldn’t be pleasant for me but that those habits needed to change now. He asked me if I was up to making the changes needed. I asked him to correct me as he saw fit, and he did.
My Pride intact
I am personally grateful that Scott practiced of the concept of “criticize in private, praise in public”. I know the others in class were as well. We were all the recipients of a great deal of individualized instruction from someone I came to realize was not only a highly skilled professional but also one who is truly a teacher, one who could coach and re-train others to remove bad habits and form new ones. And I know that this combination is rare indeed.
We learned to correctly and safely perform all of the skills listed in the class outline and the drills and scenarios practiced on the second day were eye-opening to say the least. A week later, I am still processing what I learned and writing down details that I don’t want to forget. I no longer have that “nagging” doubt that something isn’t quite right; I now have the skills I need and I know the right way to practice I am immensely grateful for Scott and MVT for what they do and how they do it and I will definitely be back for more training at MVT. If you are considering signing up for training, please do so. As far as I am concerned, MVT is the only place to go. – T.B.
I attended a 5 day rifle/vehicle mobility class by MVT early in 2017, Max was the instructor. I will simply echo HJL’s recommendation that MVT is the place to get firearms training, hands down!
Is it easy? NO, it is realistic training that you will apply to maintain/improve firearm skills. I too found out early on in class that my skills were not at the level I thought they were. The training provided the tools and instruction to correct that.
IMHO your time and $’s are beyond well spent in getting training through MVT. I too will be returning for other classes in the future.
I went to the Texas RS/CTT class in February of this year. I worked in federal law enforcement for over 20 years, the last 17 we had select fire rifles…but no really good training. Even basic weapons handling/manipulation skills were less than optimum when I was working. Max’s class fixed that the first two days.
Well worth the money and you can find classes all over the country. Max too is an outstanding instructor.
Could we get ONE specific? What glaring fault was corrected? What bad habit was compared to a scar? What was the cost? Thanks!
Davy – corrections included drawing the weapon efficiently from concealment, keeping my finger off the trigger during the draw and extension, breaking the “tunnel vision” and being situationally aware throughout a gun fight and reholstering correctly. I am currently working to retrain the muscle memory.
Reloading efficiently and getting back into the “fight.” How to carry with out flagging people that are on your side. Hint: It isn’t carried like a suitcase or at “port arms.”
Go to Max’s sight and read the reviews he also has prices listed.
Not a bad habit, but deficiencies (for me that is) addressed;
1. Reloads; emergency vs tactical. When, specifics on how to including two options & a recommended choice, what to do with mag removed/dropped.
2. Malfunction drills; simplified methodology.
3. Realistic live fire training exercises that allowed us to practice techniques taunt in class.
There are more, best observed first hand. Just giving feedback on the class I attended.