Austin people (and surrounding areas): Lets get a training group together

[kerryp]

This sounds like a reaonable idea. What type of "training" are you thinking of?? Squad tatics? One on one stuff? Or just getting used to working together as a group? I have a pistol range on-site, that will handle about 5 shooters at a time. 40 yds right now with plans to move it out to at least 50yds. Some steel plate targets, some target frames for paper. I live between Elgin and Bastrop, so not too far from Austin. I would like to meet at a local range first to get a "feel" for the group before bringing a bunch of people to the house that I don't know...yet! I also have tools to build steel plate targets if needed. Plasma cutter, wire welder and some stock steel. I guess the first thing we need to do is plan a time and place to make that first meeting. The Lone Star Range worked out well for me last time. Weekends are usually good for me. MG

I don't blame you for wanting to meet everyone before having them show up at your place....

Your just right up the road from me. Where is the Lone Star Range? I have been itching to go to the range, but travel so much and have been so busy I have not been able to get out and shoot more than 50 rounds through my new Kimber. I know of a place I can go out in Rosanky where I took my CHL class, but even that close and I have a hard time getting there...

As far as the type of training, I'm mainly interested in getting more practice to get good with my guns first off (perfecting the basic skills since its been so long since I have shot regularly), improving technique for drawing down properly, and would like to get some practice on personal defense skills ( how to use a weapon in close quarters, etc.) and it would be fun to get into match shooting or the sort eventually...

I think the whole group concept is a good idea. I think if we do this, we should do it like any club and have club positions or at the very least a safety officer....safety is first and we need to have someone who is ensuring we are doing things proper, No Exceptions, to keep everyone safe, but we can discuss all of this at the first get together.

Lets get a place and time set up so I can see if I can make it...if Lone Star is close by, lets do it...

[Big country]

As far as steel targets go, just remember the whole ricochet thing can become an issue depending on the distance used and ammo. For close range stuff you'd pretty much have to use frangible ammo.

Some one (posts here from time to time) told me about reactive targets made from ply wood and tire tread, that sounds like it would be a little safer than steel.
And IMO it would be a good idea to meet at a RANGE first that way we can see any unsafe gun handling right off the bat. It sounds like the place between Elgin and Bastrop would be perfect I could not afford driving out there every week but once a month or so wouldn't hurt.

[Big country]

Kerryp- LSGR = http://www.ctxpta.com I took a class out there. Nice range good people. I have no complaints at all about the staff or the range it's self.

[sig556]

Sounds like we could get a range day set up for everyone to meet. Not sure about everyone on here, but I do not know many shooters in Austin and would really enjoy getting out and meeting fellow enthusiast.

[gladi8r]

If someone has an are for us to play paintball that is a good way to practice training and tactics, at least that is what a few of us up here do.

[Big country]

Kerryp- LSGR = http://www.ctxpta.com I took a class out there. Nice range good people. I have no complaints at all about the staff or the range it's self.

I should clarify for LSGR's sake that the range I go to on a regular basis is Eagle Peak so If you have heard me talk about "my" range pissing me off it was about Eagle Peak not LSGR.

[kerryp]

Kerryp- LSGR = http://www.ctxpta.com I took a class out there. Nice range good people. I have no complaints at all about the staff or the range it's self.

Funny, I was going to mention a range in Lockhart I had heard about, just didn't know it was Lonestar...I have been wanting to check the place out. Do you have to be a member or fill out an application, or do they take walk-ins?

[Big country]

There is a one time $5 registration fee for processing paper work and $12 a day for daily customers. I think it is a walk in and his yearly pass is $65. call Matt if you have any questions he gives his phone every were on the web site. Just don't do anything unsafe or intentionally destructive (like shooting bird or buck shot at his target stands) and him and his staff are great to deal with. If people start doing unsafe or stupid things they get it handled pretty quick in a "professional" manner.

[Sig_Fiend]

Yep, Lone Star is a great range. Inexpensive and they don't hassle you.

The main purpose I was sort of envisioning, M. Sage, was sort of like what you mentioned about some of us taking classes than passing on tips and tricks to others. Nothing beats hands on instruction by a professional, but it's better than nothing. Basically what I mean is a group that can be sort of a melting pot. We don't necessarily need a "leader" or someone in our group to teach us everything. However everyone providing input, teaching little tips and tricks they've learned from their own experience or training classes would be great. I know many of us would like to take lots of pistol/carbine training classes (or maybe even other types of training classes), but I know it can be pretty cost prohibitive too. Some classes are $350-800 for the class fee, then you have to factor the cost of anywhere from 800-2000+ rounds of ammo which can sometimes double the cost of the class if taking a carbine course. I've been looking around and have actually found a few instructors that are pretty inexpensive, but seem to be pretty decent. I was considering as well that, if we can get a decent sized group going and regular participation in this little group, that we could maybe even host a class. Here's one instructor to give you an example:

Class Descriptions

$60/hr 4hr minimum for us to host a class. If we get four of us together, that's only $60 per person, ten of us makes only $24 a person! Not to mention that school seems to have lower round count classes, usually ~300rds according to their website. Anyways, that was just one example. I'm still looking for other cost effective schools/trainers as well. If you know any, let me know. Most likely, I will try to attend some classes myself first with this school and hopefully some others and try to get a feel for who would be worth hosting.

As far as team stuff goes, that's great too. The more teamwork the better IMO. I think first, the individual really has to get their own stuff down as far as the fundamentals go, otherwise teamwork will be that much less effective. The most cost effective tool we could use for some of this stuff is going to be airsoft. We could run force on force drills, incorporate some team movement, etc etc pretty effectively with airsoft to keep costs down. That would also help with any physical restraints we might have in whatever location(s) we end up using in the future.

So I guess the first order of business will be getting together a range day for everyone to meet up, hang out, and get to know each other. Judging by what I've heard so far, it sounds like Lone Star in Lockhart would be the range to do it at. Do I have any objections, or does anyone else have reccomendations? If not, then Lone Star it is. Also, we need to get a day worked out that everyone can make it to. I can tell you off hand that neither I or Alan are available on Saturdays or Sundays at the moment unfortunately. Monday through Thursday would probably work better for both of us, though I'm usually available on Fridays myself. Everyone post up what your availability would be and we'll figure out what the best day/time would be.

[Big country]

That is a problem.(for me anyway) I can't get off work during the week at all. ???????????????? I'm brain storming again.