I recently took Frank Proctor’s Performance Pistol on August 16-17 and thought I would attempt to share some of my thoughts on the class. These are basic thoughts and some of the ideas that I took out of the class. Gear used: HK P30 LEM 9mm JM Custom Kydex AIWB(I ran from concealment) JM Custom Kydex Single Mag Pouches: Type 3 Ammo: Mix of 124gr Aguila, 124gr Freedom Munitions Lube: Rand CLP with a light application after TD 1 Students: 9 total TD1: Frank began the day with teacher/student introductions and how he defines “performance shooting”. He took the time to ask what we were looking to get out the class individually whether that was target transitions, multiple strings of fire, or efficiency of moving through competition stages. He was very clear that he didn’t want us to just go into “drill mode” this weekend, and really explore the lessons he had planned for us. The main thing that I wanted out of this class would be target transitions as I have been struggling with this and “seeing what I need to see”. Considering what was going to unfold over the next two days, I would not be disappointed. When we hit the range Frank began breaking down his core principles and wanted us to dry-fire it out. We started learning his interpretations of focus and awareness, and expressing these ideas through some good old fashioned dry-fire repetitions. Frank walked up and down the line giving one on one instruction and also reminding the class to quit going into “drill mode” and just doing mindless repetitions. I really enjoyed the dry-fire and how he literally built upon a foundation which was laid out in the classroom. He reminded us that dry-fire is when we should begin to figure out his philosophy, then we will see some “real magic happen” this weekend. Our targets were 8”x11” sheets of paper glued to IDPA targets and we worked on focus/awareness exercises up to lunch. These were bigger targets than what I am used to training on, but he didn’t want us to concentrate on tight groups. He was much more interested in teaching the class a situational awareness; a very fine split of focusing on the target, our sight picture, and being aware of everything that our eyes could see. He was very conscious to remind us that eye speed is the true key to fast shooting. Even if we missed or yanked a shot on a drill/exercise he would walk up and ask, “What did you see, what did you learn from that?” It was unusual, in that accuracy was not the point of many of the drills, but more of a relearning to interpret the data that we collect while shooting. He had a constant theme through the class that stemmed from the first morning, and his idea is that we can process vastly more information visually then we realize. Our eyes and brains are faster than we think they are, and as we understand that, we then learn how to manipulate this new data stream into higher shooting skill. I thoroughly enjoyed this approach and it was apparent that Frank is a thinking shooter. The whole process should have a purpose and learning should always be occurring regardless of what you are working on at the range. After lunch we began to speed up ever so slightly and Frank spent a considerable amount of time on grip, recoil control, and why he believes in strings of fire greater than 2 or 3. Like most instructors, Frank believes that with shorter strings of fire you do not gain the true experience of recoil and how to control it properly. With fewer shots it is easier to “run” with a less than optimal grip. What I also liked about this part of class is we didn’t stand at the 3-7 yard line like is common. We backed up and worked on fast hits anywhere from 10-15yds. We shot these exercises first on paper than began bringing out the steel. We were asked to push like we were at the 5yd line to prove to ourselves that you can “go fast” with less than optimal sight alignment even at those distances. This is where Frank also brought out the Ricky Bobby analogies like “going fast”, putting the “car into the wall” etc. Being from Alabama he loves him some Talladega Nights. When a shooter “connects with their gun” they are calming the cougar and letting the gun shoot itself. There was also a little Shake N Bake thrown in for good measure. We also touched on target transitions with the targets being various widths apart. We worked through these through the blistering August South Carolina heat and then called it a day. TD 2: We started day two just like day one…with copious amounts of dry-fire with a particular emphasis on focus and awareness. Of course, it was even hotter than the day before so we were dripping by time we go into live fire. I love the summer! We then began shooting steel with Frank’s version of a “trigger stripe” drill. The “trigger stripe” exercise will fundamentally challenge what we all think about the often dreaded combination of sight alignment, movement, and accuracy. This was a true “aha!” moment for me and will be the one of the defining things I take away from the class. This is the one piece that we all look for in classes that is worth the price of admission alone. Take the class…that’s all I’m saying about the “trigger stripe! Throughout the rest of the day (especially with target transitions) the trigger stripe would rear its head as we progressed throughout the day. After lunch Frank began setting up several different courses of fire, and thanks to our range setup we were able to set up multiple shooting stations at once. Students could rotate between the stations, and it was like having a gun class and carnival all rolled into one! Frank was conscious to watch every student at various points in each course to critique and offer encouragement. To keep us on our toes for the rest of the day we would go back and forth between shooting stations along with Frank stopping the class to reiterate a point, demo something, or slightly change a course of fire to keep us thinking about what we were doing and the purpose behind it. This kept us alert and out of the mode of mindless repetitions. Finishing up, I really liked how he has a strong foundation in both tactical/competition shooting and was able to poke fun at "tactical" guys, especially himself. Frank is an affable and funny character, and has a pleasure to spend two sweltering days with. Looking back at the class I came away a more enlightened shooter. I’m more aware of what of happens when I pull the trigger, and my ability to comprehend and diagnose my shots has greatly increased. This also goes for both dry-fire and live-fire practice. As I mentioned a weak point in my game was target transitions and I have something to build upon now. I can’t speak highly enough of Frank’s professionalism and his desire to keep evolving as a teacher. I can say that Frank is one of the best teachers that I have had the pleasure working under and I would not only bring him out to our range again, but would train with him again in a heartbeat (his carbine class is literally calling to me). The guy truly cared about our learning and wanted every student to not only leave a better shooter, but see us grow into better shooters for the rest of our gun slinging days. As a law abiding, concealed carrying individual I am a huge proponent of AIWB (appendix inside the waistband) carry. This “style” has made a comeback in popularity in the last several years and I am unashamed to say that I jumped on the bandwagon. I had always bounced back and forth between IWB and OWB carry and while I could always find comfortable holsters, they were not always the most concealable, or accessible from the various positions I found myself in in day to day life. After much research I came across a small custom holster company that according to myself and many experienced people produces one of the best, if not the best AIWB holster on the market. The JM Custom Kydex AIWB holster is a holster that I feel I need to proclaim my everlasting love for.
Appendix holsters should be purposefully designed for carrying in the appendix position due to the area that the firearm will be carried in and to maximize comfort and concealment. A simple 00 cant IWB holster either will not work, or be incredibly uncomfortable for this position as the design is different compared to a purpose built AIWB. The JM AIWB holster does this magnificently by being incredibly well thought out and thoroughly tested with various experienced shooters of all shapes and sizes. Like most custom kydex manufacturers you can choose the thickness of the holster, belt loops, and of course firearm. What makes JMC stand out with the plethora of kydex holsters is the attention to detail that it has. There are no rough edges, the bulk is minimized, and the tension is where it needs to be to properly retain the firearm. There is no “stickiness” or death grip with this holster which is something that not all kydex holster manufacturers can claim. This holster is also incredibly strong for weapon retention classes and various hard use activities that a person may find themselves doing on any given day. This is not your average IWB holster as JMC also offers an “extra tuck” feature which is an extra wedge of kydex at the muzzle end of the holster designed to push the grip of the firearm further into the body to increase conceal ability. I believe that this is a “must have” feature as the purpose of this style of carry is to maximize concealment. Many holster makers will only attach a foam wedge to the holster to accomplish the same thing. I can’t speak highly enough of the extra tuck feature as it is so cleverly designed into the holster as to hardly be noticed unless compared to a holster without this feature. Did I mention comfort? If my pants are on my gun is on. The JMC AIWB holster is one of the most comfortable holsters that I have ever worn. Combined with a good carry belt it makes it about perfect for all day comfort whether that is just working in the yard, driving, training, or running errands. I have worn this holster to a training class, and while it did heat up slightly more than normal (the kydex is SLIGHTLY thinner than the other kydex I have) it was never uncomfortably hot. Of course it being made of kydex I never have to worry about it collapsing for re-holstering. I have also driven 6hrs to a class while wearing this holster and there was never any discomfort. Something that a potential buyer needs to be aware of though is that AIWB is actually more comfortable with and designed for mid-size to full-size guns. Smaller guns such as sub-compacts or short single stack guns may be uncomfortable as a full size gun actually serves to fill in the natural “gap” at the appendix position and a shorter barrel will dig in to the body easier (such as bending over) than a larger firearm. So if you carry something along the lines of the Glock 19, then it may be beneficial to buy the Glock 17 holster. Two holsters for the price of one right? Another potential drawback and one that is obvious is the position of the holster itself. Some gentlemen may not like it as the muzzle is pointing right at our manly bits and those with ahem, extra padding, may have comfort or accessibility issues with this holster. My opinion on the position itself…this should be treated like any other holster when putting your heater up; that whole finger off of the trigger thing REALLY comes into play here; please for the love of nylon drop leg holsters, learn to PROPERLY re-holster especially if you choose to carry in this position. Hint, hint: get training. There is a wrong way and a right way and a definite wrong way is to speed re-holster. For a proper re-holstering (for all holsters if you ask me) take your time! As for other drawbacks of this holster and position, I cannot think of any. This holster screams quality as there is a definite difference in the craftsmanship compared to most kydex out there, and it is produced by a person that stands by their work from order to delivery. Tony Mayer, owner and proprietor of JM Custom kydex is very responsive to emails and questions. This is always a plus as it is my goal to not only purchase good equipment and accessories, but to do business with good people with great customer service. He is constantly learning and adapting various designs to make them better for customers such as his AIWB holster. This is a company that produces a higher standard for those looking for it. If you are looking for a strong, minimal bulk, comfortable, concealable holster than I can highly recommend the JM Custom Kydex AIWB holster. There is more to come as I like OWB holsters and of course his mag pouches are some of the best out there. www.JMCustomkydex.com |
Tim ElmerTim Elmer is an instructor at Shootlogic LLC. working alongside Tommy Judy for the past several years. He is an avid shooter that makes the attempt to keep up a blog. Archives
April 2017
Categories |