Blog

Between Covid19, widespread rioting and the looming election, owning firearms for self-defense is no longer a theoretical concept to most people.

With people buying guns in record numbers, we’re again seeing a shortage of ammunition – the worst one so far.

At QSI, we recognize the challenge that this ammo shortage places on training for our students. We’re continually reviewing our programs to keep the round counts accurate.

We’ve now partnered with a number of ammunition vendors to source ammunition for students to use in our courses. If you’re having trouble finding ammo for your next QSI class, let us know and we’ll help you out!

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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.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Participants must make every effort to maintain a social distance of 6 feet or more throughout the day. Consider this when staging gear, taking breaks, etc. Staging areas at the range will be modified to accommodate this.

As a social distancing measure students should not enter or walk through the Instructor’s Office area.

Brief (ie, walking past) near contact is acceptable but should be avoided.

Avoid touching each other and each other’s equipment.

MASKS

There are two kinds of masks:

SOURCE CONTROL masks prevent you from spreading disease to others. Cloth masks work for this.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) includes masks which are full seal and rated N95, that will protect the wearer from the virus.

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.

Bleach solution and paper towels will be provided for cleaning 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.

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 hope you can join us for a class this Summer!

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.

Due to new protective measures being put into place regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, we will will unfortunately have to cancel all scheduled Force on Force classes.

Students who have purchased FoF class slots will be credited or provided with a refund.

Our next scheduled class will be Defensive Handgun on April 25th in Forest Lake. With our live-fire classes being outdoors and relatively small in size, we plan to continue them as scheduled.

Thanks to everyone for their understanding. Stay safe and good health!

Erik and the QSI Crew

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.