Well, I anot even sure if I ever posted on this forum before, however I am on other boards, have taken multiple classes from the orange days of Gunsite to Hackathorn recently. While I rarely post, I do read. This post is a AAR of Tom Givens Combative Pistol held in July in PA at the New Holland range. Class was coordinated by Race street Range, and they are bringing other talent to SE PA. Outstanding job by Annette. Check out their webpage racestrange.com.
While I am a little surprised, that there was not a AAR yet on this forum, since this is one of the forums where Tom's classes are posted and AAR'd, I think that for those considering a class with Tom, 1 out of 20 students should post something so here goes.
One other thing, this is a two part AAR, one on the class, one on things that might help you before taking a class with any trainer.
So if you have ever read anything about Tom Givens, or his AARs, let me tell you that being there, is better than reading about it. This was a great class, it made me think, it challenged me to be better, and I know that Sunday at the end of the class, I was better than Saturday morning at the beginning of class. The fundamental drills, and how each skill is built upon the previous was excellent. Thinking, problem solving and execution was in every drill that we did. With two relays, 10 people on the line, the pace moved very well. With Tom, Ashton and Skip the thought that no one will see me,I can relax this time, it's dry fire, is 100% wrong. Nothing better than getting real time guidance to improve.
Between the three of them, if you were doing something not to spec, you were redirected to the correct path. Now it is up to you to make the adjustment, practice etc.
Every evolution was measured, and scores taken down. A miss is a miss, All positive reinforcement however there is no rounding up, and I appreciate the standards being held high. From Saturday morning draw from low ready to Sunday afternoon Casino drill, shoot off's etc, it was a great experience. Time limits on drills are meant to be achieved and penalties are added to the total score. If you want more, go to you tube, read previous AAR's. Telling you the drill won't make you better, going to the class will.
What could be better than range time with Tom? Classroom time! If you haven't listened to Tom in a classroom setting, you are missing out. Once you realize that inside the four walls is just as important as outside, and the learning doesn't stop because you are inside sitting down you will find yourself thinking " I hope he keeps talking, we can get outside and shoot whenever.." Seriously, the class room time alone was worth the price of admission. Again, as above, if Tom is in your area and you can make it to a class, you should.
Back to the range - There were several very squared away shooters, most of the class was shooting 9mm, a couple of WW! Re-enactors, primarily Glock, M&P, sig, Walther PPQ. I think one G19 had a spring problem towards the end of class, Other than some operator error malfunctions, and factory ammo quality there seemed to be few delays due to malfunctions. My round count was 673. I was shooting a 1911 w 230gr zero hp, reloads with a 190 power factor.
Bottom line, and to me the most important question, would you take this class again or recommend this class? Yes.
Now, part 2. Since my profile is basically empty, and it says I have no friends,I probably can't lose any and the following is my advice in regards to taking a class. Having spent the last 25 years in different classes, the following will help some, and maybe upset some. However, it needs to be said. So I am going to. Nothing personal.
1. Show up on time, on time is early, walking in late is disrespectful to the Trainer, and your fellow students. Don't know how to get to the range? Drive there sometime before the class, especially if it is months in advance. Seriously. Be on time, starting on time means more time to learn.
2. Follow instructions, read what is sent you before class. For example, Tom advised everyone to show up ready to go, wearing your pistol, not putting it on at the range, or walking into a class with a empty holster. That was the direction given (pun) coming from NY or NJ, I realize the challenge, find a way. Walk into class ready.
3. How about loading your mags the day before class? The springs won't wear out in one day, come prepared. Buy more mags if necessary, but for the love of OUR time, opening a 50 round box to start the day is wasting OUR time.
4.Buy a quality belt, a quality holster and a quality mag holder. I like Tj Maxx, but come on, you spent a lot of money for a pistol, buy a good holster, buy a belt, pulling magazines out of your back pocket in the middle of a drill? Really? Is that how you normally carry? You are putting yourself behind the curve with poor quality. You spent good money to train with whomever, set yourself up to win. There is no better time to buy quality gear, and if you don't like something sell it.
5. Know your weapon, if you have a decocker on your pistol and don't know what it is for, you are putting yourself and anyone on the line at risk. Further, don't bring a pistol to class that you cannot run, or are unfamiliar with. Seems like that doesn't need to be said, but apparently it does.
6.. Listen with your ears, there is time to talk at the breaks, rehydration time etc. When the instructor is talking, STFU, and yes, I was guilty of this once. One time only.
7.When you finished shooting the drill, don't dangle your pistol by your side, or begin to turn towards someone else. Holster the weapon means holster the weapon, low ready means low ready, wait until you are told to pick up magazines etc. If you are told any of this more than once, you should be made to do push-ups. 3 times or more? Seriously?
8. Load your magazines whenever possible. Don't wait to be told, further, in the middle of the drill, letting the instructor know you are out of ammo cause your mags are empty? You should lay on the ground having been told to play dead, behind the line, while everyone else shoots. Seriously, I just cannot believe I actually heard that in a class, full of adults.
9. Don't talk back to the Instructors. Ever. If you have a issue, a problem, wait until a break. Ask to speak to them, it may be you are in over your head, or your pistol is a problem, your gear is a problem, whatever. We are shooting pistols, your gun is loaded, it is hot, you are being challenged with a higher degree of stree than you may be used to, Get a Straw, and suck it up ( Ashton, a classic. ). Talking back? You have got to be kidding me.
10. My personal favorite - count off, 1,2,1,2....20 students.you would think being able to remember if you were a 1 or 2 would be easy, apparently not.Two relays of ten becomes 9 or 11... It doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Again, don't waste our time.
Like I said, might lose a friend or two, I don't care. If anything above 1-10, pissed you off, my apologies. If anything 1-10 helps you before you take a class, that's great
I have trained with Cooper, Hackathorn, Jeans, and others. Make no mistake about it, the class was AWESOME, the training was outstanding. Tom, as I mentioned above is someone you should get to train with, the experience was outstanding. I need to order those Casino drill targets, because while those squares and triangles looked awful big stapling them up, the triangles seemed to shrink once we got on the line to shoot, especially with everyone watching.
Thank you Tom, Ashton, Skip, and Annette for a great class!
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Originally Posted by Tom Givens
