To quote the course description from MDTS, Combative Carbine Skills series “emphasizes three critical elements of defensive shooting: Mindset, Skill-At-Arms, and Tactics.” CCS 1&2 begins the series with the fundamentals needed to operate the carbine in a combative and defensive manner. What I love, personally, is the focus on the class from a citizen perspective, which 90% of us who take these classes will be using the training for.

The first hour of the day was classroom-based training, which went over firearms safety, range safety, some carbine history and zeroing, accessories and rifle modifications, as well as some initial administrative firearms handling and platforms. Once the initial classroom training was complete, we moved out to the range and jumped right into zeroing our rifles.

Once all of the rifles were zeroed, training began. Without divulging too much of the course, there was a great deal of information thrown at the attendees. Personally, I enjoy “drinking from the firehose” as they say, but I can see how some people may not like that approach. However, most everyone rose to the occasion and stepped up their game to learn.

I also noticed that there were several people attending the class who had just bought their AR-15 or similar carbine, and by the end of the class they were engaging targets out to 75 yards, and clearing complicated “triple feed” malfunctions. Considering how some of the newer shooters were picking up the information, I have to say that speaks louder than I can about Chris’ proficiency as a trainer.

As I said above, this is the second time I have had the chance to take this class from MDTS, which has joined my resume of several other carbine training classes, and I have to say that I would highly recommend anyone with carbine rifles to give this class a shot (no pun intended). From the basic fundamentals to some advanced weapon malfunction clearing, the class provides a great deal of valuable information to the average shooter.

MDTS is holding another Combative Carbine Skills 1&2 class on August 28th in the Rochester, NY area. Visit their website, mdtstraining.com, and check out their schedule to sign up!

Combative Carbine Skills 1&2 Course Details

The MDTS Combative Carbine Skills curriculm is designed for the new rifle owner, individuals who have owned a rifle but never attended formal training as well as the seasoned operator. A solid grounding in safety and fundamentals of gun handling is presented with a heavy emphasis on the students ability to manipulate the carbine platform while mult-tasking or under stress. This is a fast paced, challenging course. Course content will include but is not limited to:

CCS1 Firearm Safety/Range Safety
History & Zero
Modifications & Sling Options
Personal Equipment Selection & Placement
Administrative Gun-Handling
Carry & Carbine Ready Positions
Fundamental Marksmanship
Combative Marksmanship
Shooting Response Theory
Combative Gun-Handling/Malfunctions

CCS2
After Action Assessment Concept
Bilateral Weapon Operation
Transition to Handgun
Combative Shooting Positions
Vertical and Lateral Displacement
Multiple Target Engagement
Proactive Movement
Fundamental Use of Cover & Concealment and more…

Equipment List:
A serviceable carbine to include M4, AR15, AK47 or pistol caliber rifle, a minimum of 3 magazines, 500+ rounds rifle – NO GREEN TIP OR AP AMMUNITION, 50 rounds pistol, eye and ear protection, pistol and minimum of 2 magazines (if you own a pistol), appropriate clothing for weather, water, hat with brim, optional equipment- sling, gloves & knee pads.

*A pistol is not required to attend this course

Additional Equipment Considerations:
Weapon mounted illumination tool, knee & elbow protection, note taking materials, lunch for full day class

The first event for my relay was presented by Southnarc of ShivWorks. The block was entitled “Confined Space Shooting” and covered the physical mechanics required to defend yourself with a handgun in small spaces and at close proximity to both threats and innocents. The first part was the basic steps of drawing from a holster. While the pistol draw is something most shooters have a pretty good handle on, Southnarc has some very targeted specifics that keep the gun very close to the body and enable rounds to be accurately fired as early as possible. The focus here was being able to access your handgun while minimizing the opportunities for an opponent to interfere with the draw. We practiced each step of the draw and fired from both the compressed ready and extended positions. We covered the “nose over toes” stance that I’m familiar with and conducted several drills. One very enlightening drill was where we practiced engaging a target while surrounded by innocent bystanders, literally shoulder to shoulder. The mechanics of Southnarc’s draw stroke proved effective here as we were able to draw and fire in these very tight confines without sweeping any of the bystanders with our muzzles. Southnarc is very attentive during these drills, always right there to intervene if there is any hint of a safety issue as well as offering corrections. The session concluded with an overview of how to both shoot from, and properly exit a vehicle. The mechanics of this are way more complicated than you would think. Being able to exit a car without sweeping yourself or any of your (presumably friendly) passengers with your muzzle requires lots of forethought.

The entire Confined space block was very educational. Most of the techniques were small tweaks to what I’ve already learned in various other courses, but these small changes have big results. The only downside of this session was that I managed to slam my holster hard on the seatbelt latch when entering the car and I broke one of the screws. Having a pinwheeling holster isn’t conducive to range safety. Thanks to Chris for stealing a screw from one of his spare holsters and getting me back online!

The next block was presented by Chris Fry of MDTS Training, and I had the pleasure of assisting him. The class was based around dealing with carbine malfunctions. We started with a diagnostic test that shows basic gun handling at very close range.  We then covered what to do when your carbine stops functioning at various ranges from contact distance to 25 yards. This included muzzle strikes as well as both one and two handed pistol transitions. Finally Chris described and demonstrated all the common (and a few not so common) carbine malfunctions as well as his simple system to handle them without some of the problems of more traditional methods (like SPORTS). The culmination of this block is an exercise where students get a chance to handle multiple malfunctions under some induced pressure.

During a great lunch provided by the club, we enjoyed a lecture from Andy Langlois about Dealing with First Responders. Some good insights into what will be going through an officer’s mind if they are responding to a defensive shooting. Biggest takeaway from that, when an Officer says “DROP THE GUN!”, do it … now.

After lunch we had an overview of some of the many hardware options available for the AR platform. There are a lot of them.

After this I assisted Chris again with his carbine block for the 2nd relay of shooters, this meant I had to miss the block on Tactical Medicine, but I will be looking for more opportunities in that area.

Overall, it was a great day of training. The blocks of instructions were somewhat compressed, but there is a lot of information to be learned, and the opportunity to train with many instructors is a welcome one.

Thanks to the organizers and all the help from Pelham Fish and Game Club, which, incidentally, is a beautiful club.

Click here for day 2…

Common build up point on bolt, NEVER stretch out or compress gas rings

I have noticed several questions on the forum recently focused on lubrication and maintenance of the carbine.  So, I thought I’d post some generalized guidelines for maintenance, cleaning and lubrication. If followed, these guidelines will keep your carbine functioning optimally with minimum time expenditure.

The AR15/M4/M16 family of firearms has gotten a poor reputation due to the bad experiences and poor information provided to operators in the past. This weapon platform is highly reliable when maintained properly. Some general guidelines to follow to insure reliable function and life time service from your firearm:

1. Attempt to field strip and quick clean your carbine after each shooting session. Even if this only means you have time to de-grease the bolt carrier, bolt face and clean out the chamber and bore.  This will go a long way toward maintaining reliability.

Clean extractor claw trench of any debris and visually inspect for cracks or chips

2. Soak small parts such as the charging handle, bolt carrier, bolt and its small parts in a Tupperware container of Hoppe’s #9 overnight. This  will make cleaning these small, hard to reach surfaces much easier and save you time and trouble in the long run.

3. Attempt to fully field strip, inspect and thoroughly clean your firearm after every 3000 rounds. Note “witness marks” or where metal has rubbed on metal wearing away finish. These are important lubrications points. Look closely at the gas key on top of bolt carrier and make sure it is still tight.

4. Keep a close eye on components that are critical to the proper operation of your carbine such as the extractor and spring, ejector and spring, gas rings, firing pin and buffer spring.  It is a good idea to have back ups for all of these essential parts in a range bag or kept at home.

Bolt carrier lubrication points, DO NOT lubricate bolt-face

5. Inspect the extractor claw making sure there are no cracks where the metal is thin or chips and that the claw is not filled with carbon or debris.

6. When lubricating remember that “less is more”. Your bolt and carrier do not have to be soaking wet. Extra lubricant will attract dust, dirt and debris when firing your carbine. A light coat or sheen is all that is needed.

7. Make sure the charging handle is not bent. Lateral stress is put on the charging handle during aggressive cycling and over time they will bend and the finish will wear on one side creating witness marks.

Charging handle lubrication points- common “witness marks” or silver areas

8. Utilize a q-tip, tooth pick or dental pick to clean carbon or chunks of debris out from around the trigger group. Visually verify the legs of the trigger spring are the same length and not broken.

Make sure a small amount of grease or lubricant is placed on rear of hammer where the trigger sear makes contact

9. During dedicated field stripping remove the action spring/buffer spring from the receiver extension and inspect. Remove the buffer from the spring and degrease along with spring. Lightly lubricate the spring before replacing buffer and spring into receiver extension.

10. Learn and understand the “Cycle of Operation” for your carbine: Feeding, Locking, Firing, Unlocking, Extracting, Ejecting, Cocking, Chambering. Understanding this cycle will aid in recognizing and diagnosing any malfunctions or problems experienced while firing your carbine.

Recommended Cleaning Tools, Solvents & Lubricants

Listed in the order I use them. No fancy cleaning tools are necessary to maintain a carbine. Field expeidient items found at any small mini-mart  or box  store can be utilized for 99% of carbine maintenance. However, good cleaning kits such as those manufactured by Otis are a good investment and can make the job easier.  http://www.otisgun.com/

There are numerous degreasers and lubricants available on the market today ranging in price. Over the years I have tested/used pretty much all of them. The best degreaser I have found is Mil-Comms MC25. http://www.mil-comm.com/. For lubricants I now use and recommend Mobile One motor oil found at any box store, if these motor oils work in high performance vehicles and motorcycles they will certainly work in my carbine. A single container of Mobile One ($2.oo) will last several years. Use sparingly, apply a very small amount to the tip of  a finger and then apply to common lubrication points.

• Paper towels
• Tooth picks
• Q-Tips
• Green Scouring Pad
• Small screw driver
• Dental pick
• Brass & nylon brush
• Pipe cleaners
• Bore Snake
• Chamber brush & rod
• Mobile One 30W
• MC25 Cleaner/Degreaser (Milcom)
• Hoppe’s Elite (spray bottle)
• Hoppe’s #9 bore cleaner (for soaking parts overnight)
• Lubriplate (or other white lithium grease, see boating department)
• TW25b or Tetragrease (grease with Teflon suspensions from Milcom)

About Chris Fry

Chris is the owner and director of training and curriculum development for Modern Defensive Training Systems in Utica, NY where he conducts courses in reality driven practical combatives skills, extreme close quarters physical defense, tactical folding knife and edged weapon combatives and combative pistol, carbine and shotgun skills. Chris has been an active instructor with Progressive F.O.R.C.E. Concepts in Nevada since 2003, servicing law enforcement, military and select government agencies. Chris is a certified AR15/M4/M16 and Glock armorer, contributor to various online firearms resource websites and a frequent presenter at national and international personal protection and small arms training conferences for both citizens and law enforcement.

For more information or to locate carbine, shotgun or pistol training in your area see: http://www.mdtstraining.com

On January 30+31 MDTS had the good fortune to co-host a Combat Focus Shooting course from I.C.E. Training taught by Rob Pincus. Rob is the developer of the Combat Focus Shooting system. For those who don’t know who Rob is, he is former Military, former Law Enforcement and the former director of operations for Valhalla Shooting Center in Colorado. Rob is currently the host of the NRA’s Personal Firearm Defense DVD series, host of the “The Best Defense” and “SWAT Magazine TV” shows on the outdoor channel and current director of I.C.E. Training.

The Combat Focus Shooting course is the first of several training classes M.D.T.S., AR15.com and the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association have teamed up to bring to NY in 2010 and 2011. This “Tactical and Practical” training series is an effort to introduce New York state shooters to some of the best and most progressive training available on the market today at an affordable price.

Read the rest of the review here:

“Mastering the basics is the only way to shoot faster or more accurately, and this goal can be achieved only with proper instruction and critiques. This consolidated, easy-to-read handbook provides a base knowledge that offers laymen and/or professional operators the references to learn/maintain their skills with their pistol, thus raising their level of competence. Whether you carry a pistol for a living or for defense, this book will help you attain the level of training desired.”

The book address concepts like mindset, body mechanics, fundamentals, tactical reloading, and even shooting while wounded. There were many times where it made me go “Well, what if this happened to me??” Additionally it gives you some drills to work on your skills, and even includes a progress worksheet. Unfortunately for Jeff (darkvibe), the entire book is written for the right hand dominant shooter, but it does have a small chapter towards the end for some information on left hand shooting.

The book is concise and to the point, and it gives the feeling of being written by an author with years of real-world experience. Many shooting books and guides are very much like textbooks, and teach great theories but do not offer practical applications to the concepts taught. This is not the case with Lawrence’s book.

After finishing this book I feel I have a much better grasp of the concepts and something to work on at the Tuesday night defensive pistol shoots with Rochester Personal Defense. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who wants to refine their skills or learn some new ones.

Title: Tactical Pistol Shooting, 2nd Edition
Author: Erik Lawrence & Mike Pannone
Pages: 256
ISBN: 1-4402-0436-5
Price: US $24.99

Sponsored in part by Rochester Personal Defense, LLC., AR15.com, and NYFirearms.com

Date: Thursday, December 10, 6:30 to 9pm
Location: The Genesee Conservation League lecture room, 1570 Old Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY
Cost: FREE and open to anyone to attend

What is precision tactical shooting? What equipment do you need in order to participate? How do you get training and practice for this sport? Where are there competitions? What calibers and platforms are the best to use? What scope is best? How do I get involved?

This presentation will answer all of those questions and more. Both Kevin Mussack and Curt Drewel are highly experienced shooters and instructors for this very sport and we are lucky enough to have them both, together in the same room,  for this highly informational seminar.

In addition to being a participant in many of the pistol events here at GCL, Kevin Mussack spent 19 years in the US Army (Major), is a licensed pilot, a SCUBA diver, NRA Life Member, and a certified NRA Instructor. He attended the National SWAT Sniper Symposium in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, where he presented seminars on “Counter Sniper Technology”. He has also been to Storm Mountain in WV for many classes and instruction and has a long list of other training he has participated in! (much more than we can fit here)

Curt Drewel is also a SCUBA diver, a NYS Bow Hunting Instructor, spent many years in the US Marine Corp in a Sniper/Scout Platoon, and taught their Marksmanship program at Stone Bay Camp Lejune in North Carolina. He has competed in “Special High Angle Rifle” at Thunder Ranch, The Snipers Hide Cup in Texas, and the Allegany Snipers Challenge in WV.

These two Subject Matter Experts are bringing you a lot of information about the what, why, how and where in regards to the sport of Precision Tactical Shooting. We’ve all seen the movies and read the stories about it, now come listen and talk to a couple of the guys that do it.

A quick glance at the firearm and you notice that it is mostly composite material, contributing to its light weight, but it does not feel cheap at all. In fact, it feels very well made. The GSG-5 comes with a 10 round magazine, a multi-tool, and a trigger lock.

Taken from GSG-5.de:

Although I had some problems with magazine feeding, I believe the firearm shoots very well. It seemed to shoot straight and accurately. I think any issues that I did have was attributed to a dirty magazine, and some poor ammunition.

The obvious major benefit of a firearm like this one is that the expense of shooting is so low. At around $0.03 / round, you can shoot your GSG-5 all day long for under $10. With ammo prices up, and the economy down, the GSG-5 is a good way to plink and hone your shooting skills without breaking the bank. Of course, you could probably do the same with a Ruger 10/22 or a Remington 597, but you lose the cool factor of having a semi-automatic .22LR, styled like an MP5 submachine gun.

As for modifications there are already a great deal of add-ons for the GSG-5. From upper rails and red-dot scopes, to new stocks and lasers, there are all kinds of modifications available. So if you do not think it is cool enough out of the box (We do.), there are plenty of aftermarket options for you!

Overall, I’d have to say I really enjoyed shooting my GSG-5, even if I had some minor issues It has the look and feel of a very sexy submachine gun, with the heart of a plinker. I would definitely recommend purchasing one of these if you enjoy target shooting, plinking, and of course, saving money. At around $600, I’m sure this will pay for itself, instead of shooting my other firearms.

I stumbled across LMI Inc and their tactical training offerings. Ron Lauinger, owner and instructor at  LMI, was extremely helpful over the phone and quickly made my decision for me to give the class a chance. At around $200, the class is very reasonably priced, especially for an 8 hour training class (Try that in the IT world). However, there is a significant expense in ammo needed for the class. I ended up using 750 rounds of .223 ammo which cost me close to $400. Overall, the expense was well worth it.

The class was held at Canandaigua Sportsman’s Club, where many of Ron’s classes are held. The layout at this range is perfect for classes like this and provides a large amount of room to move and shoot.

After a little practice shooting at different distances, and differing body positions, we started really diving into the tactical situations. We learned responding to malfunction and reloading situations as well as a big emphasis on moving while shooting. The concepts are not hard to grasp, but under pressure, it can be very difficult to remember to do certain things. Additionally, we worked with barricades, multiple threats, and working with a partner for room-clearing techniques.

For anyone interested in enhancing their skills and firearms experience, I encourage you to check out the offerings by LMI, Inc. They have a wide range of classes from pistol and rifle training to close quarters combat training. Also, Ron and LMI have recently become sponsors of this site, and are here to help support all of us. I am glad I was able to participate in this class, and I’m looking forward to taking another with LMI.

After chit-chatting with Ron for a while, I already had a good feeling that he knew what he was talking about and I was in for a great learning experience. Once more people started to arrive, and after the range was set up properly, the training began.

I use the term “training” fairly loosely here not because I didn’t think it was an adequate training, but because it was really a bunch of firearms enthusiasts who wanted some extra tactical training. Ron is happy to offer this to fellow enthusiasts on Sundays.

So, I loaded up my Mossberg 500 Tactical with some target loads and head down to the field, where the targets were set up, to meet Ron. At first we talk about some tactical ways to reload, better ways to hold the shotgun, and what to do once the zombies have been shot in the face. We then procede to run through some drills with various scenarios.

What a blast, though. I cannot emphasize enough that within the two hours I spent with Ron and my shotgun, I had learned a great deal both about good ways to handle my firearm, as well as how to manuver tactically with the shotgun.

For anyone in the Rochester, NY or surrounding areas, I would definitely try to contact Ron (who is a current vendor on NY Firearms) and see about coming to his Sunday adventures.

I can’t wait for more tactical firearm training. It is probably one of the best things to learn, especially if you own a firearm for home defense. I will continue to review the various training sessions I go to.

Be safe everyone.