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After announcing our Comprehensive Permit to Carry Course, we’ve gotten some questions about it. Here’s what we have to say:

Q: What’s different about this course from other Permit to Carry courses?

A: Permit to Carry training differs from instructor to instructor. However, one thing that we see as a common factor is the courses are often written to comply with the statute, versus actually trying to teach participants practical skills.

Our course is designed to do both. We’ve worked the legal language into terms the average person can understand and added practical skills like conflict avoidance and de-escalation, as well as fundamental shooting skills to the curriculum. It’s a great start for anyone new to carry or needing a good refresher.

Q: I already have a permit and permit training, how can I benefit from your class?

A: Simply put, our class offers more. In addition to a thorough review of the legal issues and requirements for your permit, you’ll also leave with some practical shooting skills and an honest assesment of your self-defense skill set. In addition to developing critical skills, you’ll better be able to assess how to spend your time and money on future training.

Q: The legislature only requires certain things for Permit to Carry. By going above and beyond, isn’t this class gatekeeping people who want to carry?

A: Absolutely not. We strongly believe that people who want to carry need to understand what they are getting into and what skills they need to be successful and avoid negative outcomes. We’re not here to tell someone if they should carry or not; we’re here to help them make an informed decision.

We believe this class covers baseline skills a person needs to be successful while carrying a gun. If you think it’s excessive, we’d love to hear why you think that. Contact us at info@qsitraining.net

Folks who want to take the “cheapest and fastest” permit class are free to choose another instructor. Be forewarned that they deserve everything they get. Do you really want to risk sitting in court someday, having a jury hear about how you went with the “cheapest and fastest” training program?

Q: Why are you doing a permit course with additional training? Don’t you think the legislature’s training mandate is enough of an infringement?

A: Let’s be clear – we believe all gun control and permitting requirements are infringements. Legislative requirements are sold to the public under the guise of safety, but in reality we know their primary purpose is to put barriers in place to gun ownership and carry permits.

We’re vehemently opposed to that, and we walk the walk through our ongoing support of the Minnesota Gun Owner’s Caucus, Firearms Policy Coalition, and the 2nd Amendment Foundation. In a perfect world, we’d like to see Constitutional Carry.

Q: In a world with Constitutional Carry, wouldn’t this program become unnecessary, since training would not be required to get a permit?

A: “Not required” does not equal “not necessary.” We are confident that people serious about this responsibility will continue to seek training out on their own to build, maintain, and improve their skills.

There will always be people who aren’t interested in training. They should know better! The good news is, they can start anytime they want.

Our goal here is to offer the best Permit to Carry course in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. Check it out for yourself: QSI Comprehensive Permit to Carry Course

2022 is shaping up to be one of our best years ever! We’ve got multiple Force on Force classes scheduled, including Self Defense, Mass Murder and Terrorism Incidents, Low-Light, Partner Tactics and Team Tactics.

Our popular Building/Area Search and Escape is returning as well!

We’re also running a record number of live-fire courses, including Defensive Handgun, Advanced Handgun, and Advanced Close-Quarter Handgun; Defensive Rifle, and Defensive Shotgun and “Next Level” Shotgun.

As usual, we’ll also be offering our QSI20 Handgun and QSI20 Rifle classes, with Low-Light Shooting, this Fall.

And by popular demand, we’ll be offering our Partner/Team Tactics Course in both Force-on-Force and Live Fire variants.

We’re still looking for additional classes – stay tuned to the website and follow us on Facebook for updates!

Browse our Courses for 2022 here!

If you’re carrying a gun for self-defense, it’s incumbent on you to practice with it and maintain a certain level of skill.

With ammunition costs skyrocketing (and likely to get worse thanks to inevitable gun control proposals), your practice needs to be worth the time and money.

Never go to the range without a plan! Right now we really can’t afford to be shooting for the sake of shooting. Ammo prices have almost tripled at this point, and it’s probably not going to get any better soon.

If you want to keep your skills up without burning a lot of ammo, here’s a series of five drills that will cost you just 50 rounds.

All drills are run from 7 yards. Your focus should be on accuracy over speed. Missed shots are wasted shots.

Recommended target size for this is a 9″ bullseye. If you want to use something more fight-focused, the A-Zone of an IPSC target or the DTI midline target are good options.

1. 10 rounds fired two-handed.

2. 10 rounds fired strong-hand only.

3. 10 rounds fired support-hand only.

4. Draw and fire two rounds; scan and re-holster. Repeat five times for a total of 10 rounds.

5. Load 3 magazines with 3 rounds each. Draw and fire 2 rounds, scan and re-holster. Repeat and reload as necessary.

For the drills from the holster, it’s important to really do your scan properly. Don’t be in a hurry to get the gun re-holstered.

After your second shot, look at the target to see where your hits are. Look around, see who’s around you and what they are doing.

If the range you’re practicing on won’t allow holster work, you can start in a ready position instead.

Want to make this more challenging? Try a smaller target, increase the range, or run against a timer on each stage.

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QSI Training has always focused our classes on individuals acting in self-defense.

However, our more advanced students have been asking for something more. Recent events in Minneapolis and elsewhere have made the need for this next level of training apparent.

In October 2020, we’ll be offering our first ever Partner and Small Team Tactics Course. In this two-day program, participants will learn to work with partners and small teams in extreme circumstances.

Participants will start by pairing up with a partner and learning the basics of operating with a partner.

Partner drills will emphasize two-person scenarios using long guns (rifle, pistol-caliber carbine, braced pistol, or shotgun). Students will learn how to shoot together, move together, and communicate with each other.

After completion of successful partner drills, the students will be re-organized into 3-5 person teams to practice small team tactics and participate in a series of live-fire scenarios.

This is not training for the faint of heart. Only advanced students need apply; Recent successful completion of QSI20 Rifle, QSI Advanced Rifle, or an equivalent level of training is a required prerequisite.

We’re in the process right now of scheduling this one-of-a-kind course. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates.

In the meantime, the QSI20 course in October is filling up: if you need this prerequisite, sign up NOW to secure your slot!

http://www.qsitraining.net/events/two-day-intensive-rifle-course-2/

They show up in our classes like bad pennies – a hybrid holster using a leather (or worse, neoprene) backer with a kydex outer shell. There are a variety of makers who sell these to the unsuspecting public, but Alien Gear is probably the best known.

These holsters have several fundamental flaws, and we’ve watched students struggle with them time and time again. Some of these issues are annoyances, but many of them can lead to dangerous conditions.

The “Sweat Guard” – that flap at the top that sits between your pistol and your body – will, in a short period of time, wear out and start to flop over. When you draw your gun, the sweat sheild will flop over and block you from re-holstering.

Many folks who don’t know any better (but should) use the muzzle of their gun to open the holster up. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. You’re better off to use your weapon-hand thumb while keeping the pistol pointed towards the ground. Better still, dump this holster for something more rigid that won’t close when you draw the gun.

In addition to the sweat guard collapsing, then entire holster can collapse when you draw the gun. If not properly cleared, material can get into the trigger guard of your pistol and fire then gun when you are re-holstering, causing serious, potentially fatal injury.

Many of these holsters ride too low to get a proper master grip while drawing. Experience has shown us that if you have to adjust your grip between drawing the gun and firing your first shot, you’re probably going to miss that shot. Worse yet, drawing with a poor grip can easily cause the middle finger or other fingers to slip onto the trigger as you re-position the gun. You should never grab a pistol in any other manner than a correct master grip.

We’ve also seen the clips on these holsters fail to secure the holster inside the waistband, causing the holster to lift out (or even fall out) on the draw. We’ve even seem them break off.

http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/features-to-avoid-when-buying-an-iwb-holster

https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/dont-dig-the-rig-19

https://defensivepopulace.net/why-your-hybrid-holster-is-dangerous/

So if you shouldn’t buy Hybrid, what SHOULD you get instead?

Modern holsters made from injection molded or Kydex material are the best choice. Reputable makers include PHLSTER, Bawidamann, Keepers, Dark Star Gear, JM Custom, and Raven Concealment.

What to look for:

The pistol’s trigger guard and trigger must be completely covered.

The holster should not close when you draw the gun, and allow for easy one-handed re-holstering.

For Inside the Waistband (IWB) holsters, the ride height shouldn’t be too low to allow for a proper master grip.

The mounting system that keeps the holster is place should be solid and not shift.

If you have questions about what holster to get, please drop us a line, we’re happy to help you out!

QSI has a broad base of students and staff, some of whom are at high risk if infected with Covid-19. To minimize risk, we request that everyone adhere to these guidelines. If you have any questions of suggestions, please let us know!

Students who are sick WILL NOT be allowed to attend. If you are sick, or appear to be sick, you will be sent home and provided with a class slot on another date or a refund.

Sick means fever, coughing, sore throat or other symptoms.

Covid-19 has become politicized for many people. These discussions have no place in our programs. It is our expectation that class participants respect each other and honor each other’s preferences for social distancing and other Covid-19 precautions.

Regardless of how you feel about Covid19, we should be able to agree that it is a contagious disease. None of us want to get infected or spread disease to others.

VACCINATION AND TESTING

We do not require it, but we encourage participants to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

If you are unable to or choose not to get vaccinated, we encourage you to consider getting tested for Covid19 prior to attending the class.

If you are having trouble finding a testing or vaccination site, please let us know, and we’d be happy to help you.

MASKS

Vaccinated participants may wear a mask if they choose to do so. Unvaccinated participants are encouraged to wear masks.

In order to be effective, a mask must be worn over both the nose and the mouth.

Masks are not required but encouraged for situations where we might get closer than six feet. It is recommended you bring a mask and use it when necessary.

HYGIENE AND SANITATION

Participants should clean their hands frequently, particularly if they are touching a shared surface or shared equipment.

If students bring their own sanitizer, that would be greatly appreciated. We will have some on hand but supplies are limited.

Gloves are not really useful and will actually spread disease if not used properly. We recommend frequent cleaning/washing of the hands instead of gloves.

WATER

It is recommended students bring their own water to avoid contamination from shared coolers.

FOLLOW-UP

If you begin to see symptoms of Covid-19 after a class, we strongly encourage you to get tested. If you test positive for Covid-19 with a week of taking a class, please let us know so we can inform other students of the risk. We will not disclose your identity or any personal information.

We are committed to continuing to run classes as safely as possible. While we cannot eliminate risk, we can recognize risks and work within them to make smart choices.

We look forward to seeing you again soon!

As with everyone else, the Covid-19 outbreak has affected our business.

Here in Minnesota, we face multiple challenges – social distancing in classes where we traditionally interact closely with students, and the current “Stay At Home” order which has closed many gun ranges and required people to stay at home except for essential business.

We have currently cancelled all classes for March and April and re-scheduled some of them in May. We have a fall-back plan in place to re-schedule May classes into June as well.

It is our intent to run these classes as soon as we can! We are in the process of developing re-schedule dates for all of our classes if necessary.

If you are currently registered for a class, you will receive an email if re-scheduling is necessary. You will have the option of keeping your registration for the new date, transferring to another class, or receiving a refund.

Like every other small business, this plague has hit us hard. We greatly appreciate your patience and support through this tough time.

QSI’s Facebook page can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/qsifirearms/

Quite a few people have asked me about Ayoob’s accidental discharge at a recent MAG40 class.

Short story: Ayoob wanted to demonstrate a trigger press to his students, so he borrowed a student’s pistol, by his own admission failed to clear it properly, and unintentionally fired a shot into the air.

Ayoob wrote about this on his blog, if you haven’t heard about it:
https://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/layers-of-firearms-safety-a-teachable-moment/

Another point of view, from the sponsoring instructor:
https://safetysolutionsacademy.com/lessons-from-a-negligent-discharge-at-mag-40/

To be honest, I this incident is more a case of “lessons reinforced” than “lessons learned”. My takeaways:

“Safe” Direction – In our classes we insist that any gun handling be done on the firing line, with the gun pointed down range or towards the ground. I’ll admit I’ve occasionally done this demonstration in the past – holding up the gun with the muzzle skyward – so students can see what I am doing. I am going to correct that and change how we demonstrate this.

Unnecessary gun handling – We always insist that guns are only handled on the firing line, and minimize the use of live firearms in demonstrations that don’t involve shooting. Could this demonstration (placement of the trigger finger and trigger press) been done just as easily with a SIRT pistol?

Demonstrating using student guns – Yep, I’ve done this too, while demonstrating “catching the link”, but people who’ve attended multiple classes may have noticed – I always pick a Glock, if there is one, so I have a gun I’m familiar with; I always check and dry-fire the gun before demonstrating; When demonstrating I aim the gun downrange.

Feel, don’t look – When checking to see if a gun is unloaded, you must always feel for a round, not just look for one. We train ourselves to see an unloaded chamber, and after thousands of reps we will look right at a round and not see it.

Dry-Fire to verify after unloading/clearing – The last step in our unload/clearing procedure is deliberate dry-fire in a safe direction. This incident is a good example of why we do it – if you are going to have an accident, do it under situations you control.

Bystander Effect – EVERYONE on a range is responsible for safety. It doesn’t matter who is making a mistake, if you see it, you need to say something. We empower and expect our students to call out safety issues by anyone – even the instructors.

Familiarity – In the USA, typically only lion tamers are attacked by lions. If we are going to spend a lot of time around guns, we have to always be vigilant about careful and responsible gun handling.

Distratction/Exhaustion – The incident occurred during the fourth day of a very demanding class. Pushing the envelope to prepare for a fight is important, but when people on the range are getting punchy, you need to slow down and take breaks.

“Cold” Ranges – Cold ranges are nonsense.  They teach people to assume guns are unloaded instead of loaded and the idea that unloaded guns are somehow safer than loaded guns confuses our students.  All of our ranges are run 100% hot, and we’ve never had an AD.

No matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done in the past, EVERY SINGLE TIME you handle a gun, you need to do it carefully and responsibly.

OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER:

I wasn’t there and didn’t see this happen.

Massad Ayoob’s professional contributions to this Art are above reproach and I have nothing but respect for the man.

I don’t feel uncomfortable sharing my thoughts because I am certain that Mas is thinking the same things.