Friday, December 11, 2009

UPS Saturday Events

As a reminder, UPS hosts a monthly shoot the first Saturday of every month. Our next event will be on January 2, 2010. We'll be there regardless of rain, shine, sleet, snow, wind or football bowl games. For the past couple of months we have experienced an increase in participants, even for the December event which was probably the coldest one on record. We meet at the Hendriksen-PMAA Range at exit 134 on I-80; registration begins at 8:30, and there is a $12.00 range fee.

All events start with a safety briefing, and then we move on to some sort of skills exercise(s). We then set up defensive shooting scenarios that build upon the skills drills. Actual trigger time is only part of coming to a UPS event. As you move through a scenario, the peanut gallery of observers may involve themselves by presenting a training weapon while you scan of additional threats, and you can count on a constructive critique after wards that will further help you develop your defensive skills.

These events are a good venue to try out new gear or to see what others employ, especially if you are new to using a firearm in self defense, or considering a firearm for self defense. All the drills and scenarios are taken at your own speed, and safety is always the top priority. If you would like to be put on the UPS emailing list, send a request to utahps@thebluezone.net

Training Schedule for 2010

As noted in an earlier blog (see Point Shooting Progressions, October 8) we are happy to announce additional Suarez International Training Classes being held at the Hendriksen-PMAA Range. These courses are all being taught by Doug Little, Suarez International Staff Instructor.

April 10-11 Suarez Fighting Rifle: This two day course introduces you to rifle fighting fundamentals and is suitable for beginners or as a refresher course for more seasoned shooters. Through a carefully designed and detailed no BS curriculum the instructor is able to bring you up to a level of skill in a short two day class that previously would take over 4 or 5 days to achieve at other schools. You will learn a complete presentation of the combative technique of the rifle which will put you in good standing for any defensive situations you may encounter in the real world.

May 1-2 Suarez Close Range Gun Fighting: Referred to as the flagship Suarez course, it goes as far as you can safely go on a square range with live-fire pistols. The dynamic curriculum surpasses the traditional handgun methods commonly taught in most institutions and focuses of the use of the pistol in aggressive close range applications likely in individual civilian street encounters.

The class begins with a tune-up of the fundamentals, then we progress quickly to new skills such as Proactive and Reactive Manipulations, Shooting While Moving Off The X, Reality-Based Multiple Hostiles Engagement, 360 degree CQB Movement, Danger-Close Fighting, Bilateral Shooting, 360 degree After Action Assessment Methods, and Integrating the Flashlight and Other Tools into the Firing Platform. This is the life-saving material that is often ignored in many other programs. In two days, you will receive more information than most armed professionals ever get! Suitable for BOTH civilian defenders and professional operators.

Please note that this is not a class for first time beginners. If you have had training in basic self defense pistol handling, this class will take you to the next level. Those of you who spent last summer with us at the Monday Night classes will benefit from the course.

September 18-19 Suarez Kalashnikov Rifle Gun Fighting: The AK-47/74 series of rifle is one of the most prolific and useful weapons on earth. Close to 100 million have been made in various parts of the world and anyone's chances of encountering these weapons is high. This special course will take a close look at the Kalashnikov Rifle System and teach you to fight with it in both the standard "urban rifle" engagement as well as in the Close Range Gunfighting matrix. This material will have you appreciating the AK platform like no other rifle. It is too simple to be "tactical".

October 16-17 Suarez Close Range Gun Fighting: A repeat of the May class. This offering will be perfect for those of you that shoot with us through the upcoming summer months. Spend several Monday evenings with UPS developing and honing your basic skills and then take this course.

You can register for all these classes at the Suarez International website.

We are also looking at a 1 or 2 day edged weapons course. This will be held inside, so the dates will be sometime in the winter months.

Calendar

Utah's Personal Protection Laboratory