May 2026 Recap

On Saturday, May 1 and Sunday May 2, I taught Defensive Shotgun 1 and 2 to one student during a two-day private lesson.  This student has recently caught the training bug in the last two to three years, training with Fortress, DTI, Thunder Ranch, Gunsite and now Surprise Break.  He brought a Beretta 1301 with a Holosun 509T on it so I brought my LTT 1301 with Aridus QDC, Surefire X-300 and Aimpoint H2. Neither shotgun had any issues to speak of except when I did not use push pull during firing over the shoulder, demonstrating a close quarters technique.  That was purely operator error.  He passed the shooting test with flying colors.   As we finished a little early on Sunday, I treated him to extra drills using a reactionary steel target: the rotator.  After that we worked on multiple target drills and finished shooting pistol drills on the rotator. 

If you want the most bang for the most of your money, I highly recommend private training with yours truly.   It isn’t cheap, but the personal coaching you get is worth a lot more than what I charge for our time.  Bill left highly satisfied and promised to return for more private training.  I will anxiously await his return as he is a great student and friend. 

Bill shooting the shotgun overtop of simulated cover during Defensive Shotgun 2

On Saturday, May 9^th, I taught our CCW Class (Defensive Handgun) to two students.  Guns in attendance were a Ruger LCP Max and a Smith and Wesson Shield EZ all in .380 ACP.   Although one had to step down to a M&P 22 Compact to pass, both passed the shooting test at the end.  Sometimes new shooters have a difficult time with anticipating recoil, and that’s okay.  Putting a .22LR in their hands usually cures this issue.  None of the firearms had any failures to speak of.  I demonstrated drills with my Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal with Holosun 509T without any issues.   Top Shot went to Karla.  Both passed the written test and both joined US Law Shield.  I hope to see them both back in the near future.

Taking a class selfie. These ladies worked hard.

On Friday May 15th and Saturday May 16th, Jason Slider and I took Close Range Rifle with Clint and Heidi Smith and staff of Clint Smith Signature Series in beautiful Powell, Wyoming. This class was one of the best rifle classes that I have taken. Clint, Heidi and staff are excellent instructors. I took Arcanum PD’s Smith and Wesson M&P15T 11.5-inch SBR with a Holosun 3x magnifier, AEMS, and Streamlight TLR-1HL with BUIS (back up iron sights) with a Sig SRD556-QD silencer attached. I took another rifle just in case, but it wasn’t needed. I had no issues to speak of other than one of my ten plus year old HK 30 round mags decided it was time to be put it out to pasture. A shooting error reminded me that shooting both eyes open with a magnifier will cause a substantial shift in the point of impact. Close one eye. Look in the future for the full length after-action review. Until then, I highly recommend all of you train with Clint and Heidi in Wyoming.

Class photo minus one secret squirrel and Heidi the photographer.

Not only are Clint and Heidi great instructors, I call them friends and mentors. They even invited Jason (What were they thinking? 😉) and all in attendance back to their home to eat and socialize with them. The food was amazing and so were the hosts! All of the 12 students in attendance were fantastic to train and break bread with. The views were so beautifully impressive in the Powell and Cody, WY areas that it should make atheists question their delusions. Wyoming, like much of the west, is beautiful. There is little doubt that I will be back out there again one day. Next trip will be longer with a family vacation added onto it.

Breath taking view 15 minutes from Clint and Heidi's home.

On Sunday, May 31st, I taught a private handgun lesson in Troy, Ohio. This is the students forth private lesson with me. After a review and refresher testing her previously obtained knowledge and skill, we went over retention shooing, disengagement from contact, and shooting at further distances than we have before. This was done with her Springfield Hellcat with a Shield RMS optic from a Zendira Friday bag. I demonstrated drills with my Bowie Tactical Concealment Glock 48 with Trijicon RMRCC attached. I carried it in my Viktos Upscale Sling Bag. All gear performed flawlessly. My student keeps adding to her skillsets at a fast pace, which makes me proud. I have little doubt that she will be back soon.

Private student during a disengagement drill.