When I signed up for this course, I was informed that it would not be "what I was used to". He explained that Frank taught a way of thinking, instead of "a specific "thing" to do". We are all familiar with "hold it this way", etc. and yes, while Frank taught that as well, he also did indeed teach a way of thinking. I am a very technical and analytical person. I like hard facts. Data. Minutia that I can pour and obsess over. Not vague, hazy "Let it do..." type methods in relation to things I am trying to accomplish---and that was what Frank Proctor is ALL about.
But you know what? I was able to pick up what Frank Proctor was putting down. The guy is such a good teacher that he got through to me with the "Let it do..." without any "special-student" issues. It all clicked, made sense, and I was able to not only understand what he meant, but DO IT.
So let me preface this AAR with the fact that Frank Proctor is one of the best conveyors of concepts that I have ever met, irregardless of whether or not he has a degree in communications. The guy can flat-out take a concept out of his brain, and help you to put it into yours. Some people can do that, just like some people can free-hand a tattoo...and some people just can't. Frank certainly can.
Anyway, on to the AAR:
On day 1, we did the typical meet and greet "I am...I would like to learn...". The mood was light, there was some joking, it was a comfortable environment. Several shooters were new to these courses, and seemed to fit right in. The whole course was typified by this friendly, help-your-neighbor attitude. In fact, Frank made it a point to explain that at any given time only a few people are actually, truly focused on what a person is saying when they address a group, and that talking amongst ourselves would help fix this "gap". He is 100% accurate, and I like his realism of understanding that not 100% of everything comes across to 100% of those "listening". I also think that was part of the "focus" exercise that Frank did. I quickly began realizing that, yes, the scientists are right about human attention spans and true abilities to focus.
Speaking of focus, this is the first time I have ever TRULY seen my sights. Our first exercise was to see them. Fire at the target, one round every 1/2 second or so, and ACTUALLY SEE THEM. I saw them lift, the front higher than the rear, shooting off to about 12:15 or so, then 12, then 11:45, then 12:15. WOW! I was actually WATCHING my pistol cycle, and then when I finished, I looked at the target more closely. Wow. Very pleased! I learned not only whether or not my grip needed work (to make the sights track closer to 12 on the dot), but also to TRUST THE SIGHTS, because if the weapon is sighted in...that IS where the bullet is GOING TO GO!
Next, Frank asked us to watch the sights, and watch the cases as they eject. "Do they go forward? Back? Do they tumble? Do they just "float"? Can you see a whisp of smoke come out of an open case mouth?"
I thought the guy was nuts. Or maybe some zen-master who ate air or something. But I did what he said. I watched the sights, and I watched the cases...I could actually SEE THEM. I could actually tell WHAT THEY WERE DOING....WOW! Yeah, mine ejected up, over, and back to about 4, while spinning. I had no clue I could really and truly "see" all of these things.
That was what Frank was building up to the whole two days...your eyes and your brain ("Supercomputer on your shoulders") as he called it, is EXTREMELY capable...if we just..."Let it do..."
We did numerous other drills teaching that "supercomputer" what "right" (sights properly aligned on target) "looked like", each one forcing us to use more and more of it, and to trust it more (such as walking between barrels while firing at numbered targets in numerical vs. geographic proximity).
By the end of the two days, I have not only a new-found respect for my "Supercomputer", but also learned better how to hold my pistol, how to move efficiently, and how to just "Let it do...", as Frank puts it.
During the entire course, safety was made first and foremost. The course, the instructor, and the facilities were all the kind of top-notch experience that I have come to expect when I sign up for training hosted by Advantage Group. (http://www.advantagegrouptraining.com/)
If you want to improve, they are a great option! Especially here in the South.
Here are a few videos of me that someone was kind enough to film during the course. During this first video, you will observe my pistol suffered a FTRB. I was using manufacture reloads by "Military Ballistics Industries". I had a total of 2 of these failures over roughly 1100 rounds. The ammunition shot very clean, was plenty accurate, and seemed to recoil very consistently. I did note, however, that some cases had a bit more of a bulge where the bullet seated than others. I do not know if it was this, or my gloves possibly slowing the slide that caused the issue.
The amazing thing to me about these failures is that both times, I saw them happen, observed that I saw the bullet while I cycled the slide, and processed it as a FTRB with a live round, all during the time it took me to clear it. When Frank asked me (he watched this first malfunction) what had happened, I was able to tell him EXACTLY what went wrong. It's amazing what the "Supercomputer" can pick up on if you train it to, and "let it do". Proof in the pudding, there!
Don't laugh, I know I need a LOT of work, still, but here is how I looked with a pistol BEFORE Frank Proctor got ahold of me! (wait until near the end starting at 0:40).
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