PDA

View Full Version : TLG Aim Fast, Hit Fast in ATL March 2011



VolGrad
03-07-2011, 09:05 PM
I was in the AFHF class this past weekend in ATL. Todd said since we were the first class for the year our AAR didn't matter but I figured I'd post something anyway. :cool:

First off, the weather sucked. I honestly thought we might have to build an ark on Saturday. The bottom dropped out overnight Friday night so we were already dealing with a muddy, mucky mess when we arrived for class. It stopped for a couple of hours mid-day but started back in short time. It poured all night Saturday night but stopped before class on Sunday. The rain held off but the wind didn't. The temps were low 40s with wind chill in the mid-upper 30s. Did I mention the mud and puddles?

Secondly, thanks to the our host. I won't name him because he might not want to be named. Either way, thanks for bringing TLG down South. I've been fortunate to get in with a good circle of guys that host a lot of the big names and am truly grateful for the opportunity.

I won't get into the content of the course or the specific drills we did. If you want to know all that stuff you can register yourself and pay the man his due. However, I will say he did an excellent job explaining, demonstrating, monitoring our progress, then answering questions. He was always there with feedback but at the same time wasn't pushy about it. Todd will tell you up front if you don't want to try it the way he suggests just to say so and he'll back off. Otherwise, he'll be all up in your stuff about it. He seemingly knows all and sees all.

His attitude is very laid back but not nonchalant. I never felt intimidated but at the same time it was clear he did care that his students get it right. The drills built from the beginning to the end and Todd made sure we didn't forget what he had already learned as we worked on new skills.

A lot of what he taught played upon the reality of what your body actually wants to do vs what we try to force it to do. Some of his teaching is contrary to what I've learned from other instructors. This is pretty normal when you train with multiple instructors but I really do buy into Todd's logic on most all of what he teaches. I get it.

I have taken over 100 hours of professional firearms instruction over the past 2 years and this was 16 of the best so far, perhaps THE best 16. That wouldn't be a far stretch to say at all. I strongly suggest anyone with the means and opportunity register for one of TLG's courses. Be realistic though, the class is pretty demanding. Make sure you are up for it. I will freely admit I probably wouldn't have been ready for it even last year. Todd might tell you I wasn't ready this year based on me F'ing up one of his drills really badly. :o

The highlight of the class though might have been the 4 legged drop-in student that galloped across the range during a break on Saturday. I literally was almost run over by a stray horse while walking back from a pee-pee break.

I'll include pics in follow-up posts. I won't name people other than myself. I'm the one in the red rain jacket. I will let others fill in where I missed and tell you who they are in the pics if they so choose.

PS We had a student (in the pic with the Guns & Gear logo'd jacket) run a 4.66 FAST clean. Unfortunately, he missed his second run so no coin. He was really close. I think Todd said we were the first class ever where everyone finished Intermediate or better. Correct me if I'm wrong on that Todd.

VolGrad
03-07-2011, 09:05 PM
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF13.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF8.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF9.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF3.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF6.jpg

VolGrad
03-07-2011, 09:06 PM
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF12.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF11.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF10.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF5.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF4.jpg

VolGrad
03-07-2011, 09:06 PM
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF2.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF7.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF14.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF15.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/TLGAFHF1.jpg

jslaker
03-07-2011, 11:16 PM
Hate that I didn't know about/couldn't attend this class. Hoping to catch Todd after I relocate to TX later this year. Already had a high opinion, but this kind of praise from Volgrad definitely catches my attention.

Btw, hi Volgrad. Nice seeing a familiar face from GPDO here.

ToddG
03-07-2011, 11:41 PM
Thanks, VolGrad!

Things I learned this weekend:

Everyone from Georgia thinks I play for a NYC Major League Baseball team, but it seemed to annoy them more than impress them.
A blood sacrifice to the gods will in fact stop the rain.
5200 and 5400 are even numbers; 5300 is an odd number.
If you think seeing a horse on the range during a pistol class is normal, you just might be a...
Don't f*(& with Georiga, them ole boys can shoot!


As VG pointed out, this was the first AFHF class in which every single student earned at least an Intermediate on the F.A.S.T. for scoring better than 10 seconds. Great work, guys!

VolGrad
03-08-2011, 07:59 AM
Two personal highlights for me were ...

1. A 7.37 (clean) run on FAST. Not enough for a pin or coin but I'm still proud of it, esp since I bobbled my grip a little during the draw. Unfortunately, my other runs ranged from 6.xx - 8.xx raw time plus misses ... making all the rest in the 10.xx range.

2. Finishing one of the shooting on the move drills with all hits (the only one out of 12 students) and having TLG get right up in my face, finger waving, saying ..."Dude .... that was F*#&ing AWESOME .... and I don't say that word much. I don't say AWESOME. I say F*#& all the time.". :p

TAP
03-08-2011, 08:30 AM
Huge thanks to our host. Our crew is very lucky to have a few guys who are willing and connected enough to bring some great trainers into town. I know it takes a lot of work and I am grateful for the opportunities.

Yes. The weather wasn't great but we powered through the wet and cold. Todd- we try to provide all instructors with similar extreme weather. We wouldn't want you to feel any less special than Ken or Larry. ;)

This class was definitely one of the best I have taken. I really enjoyed the pace and the progression from drill to drill. Todd has eyes like a hawk and gives great personal feedback to everyone on the line. I picked up a large handful of things to practice and work on.

We have a great bunch of guys who can shoot really well. The way Todd runs his class allows the shooter to dictate his own speed for each drill and not feel pressured to shoot as fast as the guy next to him. It allows the person who shoots a 9 second FAST to benefit as much as the guy who shoots a 5 second FAST.

I hope we didn't scare Todd off and he agrees to come back next year. I definitely look forward to training with him again.

Can you include a SFTH (shooting from the horse) drill into your class?:rolleyes:

part-time shooter
03-08-2011, 08:47 AM
Hate that I didn't know about/couldn't attend this class. Hoping to catch Todd after I relocate to TX later this year. Already had a high opinion, but this kind of praise from Volgrad definitely catches my attention.

Btw, hi Volgrad. Nice seeing a familiar face from GPDO here.

I hate I missed it as well, it was a fairly nasty weekend for an outdoor class but I'd have been more than happy with it to get into a local AFHF course. Although I'm not confident there would have been a 100% intermediate rating across all students if I was there....;)

Are there any plans to do another one this year?

Where were you guys shooting, I've never actually seen a horse on the range either...Livonia maybe near Guns and Gear?

TAP
03-08-2011, 08:52 AM
Where were you guys shooting, I've never actually seen a horse on the range either...Livonia maybe near Guns and Gear?

The location is a private range.

This class was not officially advertised. It was put together as a private class by our host.

part-time shooter
03-08-2011, 09:12 AM
That would explain it.

I went back and looked for the class but didn't see it, I was hoping I wasn't that clueless as to miss something so close.

Aside from the less than ideal weather it looked like fun, but that's March in Georgia. 70 one day and 40 the next.

Thanks TAP

TAP
03-08-2011, 09:20 AM
A few more random thoughts:

My round count was around 1100 for the two days. I will get a more accurate count tonight. Bring at least 6 mags. I had 12 and didn't have to rush to fill mags after every drill. Most drills used 2 to 3 mags. There is not a lot of down time in the class.

All of our class was shooting 9mm out of a Glock or M&P. I don't remember any major malfunctions but I did see or hear about a stovepipe and a double feed.

I only had one malfunction with my M&P. I forgot to load a mag before one drill. :o

ETA: My round count for the two days was right at 1095. My guess from earlier was pretty close.

VolGrad
03-08-2011, 09:49 AM
I think I prob shot 1200ish rounds. I had 16 mags so wasn't rushed either. I would have had plenty of time though had I only brought half that many with me. I find I always end up re-loading when everyone else is anyway unless I'm talking with someone about a drill or something during a break. I figure I might as well load while all else are loading because I might decide to slack off next time or might need to hit the head. I prob won't bring so many next time. It gets a bit much to keep up with all your gear ... in tight quarters ... on those little tables ... under the tent ... in the rain.

I did have one stovepipe and one double feed. I can't say what caused either but it was prob user induced. I won't blame my Gen4 G19 (with new 04 spring).

Couple of things I decided I needed after this class.
1. Rite in the Rain pads and a waterproof pen. I didn't take notes this class (but usually do). I wish I had taken notes now as there really was a lot of good info presented .... most of which I have probably already forgotten. Strangely enough I did write my FAST scores on my hand along with a random note, "Mass is a weapon." For some reason I thought that was funny and wrote it down. I have scrubbed and scrubbed and it still won't come off. :p
2. A different range bag. I like what I've been using but need something a little more organized that stands up on it's own. I like small bags so I don't over pack. I know what I want so the problem will be remedied by the weekend.
3. Better/different set of shooting glasses. I am currently using Revision Sawflys which I really like .... except the ear pieces start to hurt my ears after the end of the first day when worn under muffs. I had planned to wear my custom ear molds this class but they do such a good job I can't easily hear the instructor so ended up using my e-muffs.

GooberTim
03-08-2011, 10:11 AM
Thanks for the AAR and pics VolGrad!

I'll echo the previous kudos to TLG for running a very seamless, educational and entertaining class. He appears to have done this a thousand times, yet was genuinely enthusiastic and attentive to the improvement of all of us. It was easily worth the price of admission and I look forward to taking this class again!

A tip of the cap also goes to the rest of the students in attendance; in less than ideal conditions, you guys still were very impressive. I always benefit from shooting in a class with y'all (that's "you all", for those of you from Maryland - north).

The gentleman gracious enough to set this class up deserves a huge "thank you" from all in attendance, as well.

It was my pleasure to sacrifice my own blood for the benefit of the class - glad to help!

Overall, a superb experience, save for one negative comment; to insinuate that some of us need to cut back on caffeine is over the line.... ;)

VolGrad
03-08-2011, 07:53 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwbLXinjsCU

NTA
03-11-2011, 10:07 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwbLXinjsCU

Nice run! The guy who took the video may have had too much coffee that day. He couldnt hold the camera still:)

Chipster
03-14-2011, 05:41 PM
I attended a AFHF last October in Indianapolis and have to say that it was really great. The neat thing about it is that I actually like it more now than what I did right after the class. I think as thing sink in it becomes clearer and makes much more sense. I hope to do Todd proud this year at his GetSOM and low probability high speed (or something like that) later this year. Best money my department ever spent :) (I would pay for it even if they didn't)

Chip

VolGrad
03-25-2011, 10:31 AM
Sorry moved the pics when I organized my Photobucket account into albums. Links broken so I'm posting them again.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF2.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF3.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF1.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF4.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF5.jpg

VolGrad
03-25-2011, 10:32 AM
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF6.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF8.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF9.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF10.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF7.jpg

VolGrad
03-25-2011, 10:32 AM
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF11.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF13.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF14.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF12.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/AFHF%20with%20TLG/TLGAFHF15.jpg