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What to Bring to your first QSI Handgun Class
March 11, 2014
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We’re just a few weeks away from our first Defensive Handgun class of the season, and we wanted to offer some advice to new (and returning) students, based on our experience.
WHAT GUN TO BRING
First Rule of a Gunfight: Bring a Gun. The same applies to QSI courses.
We strongly recommend bringing the same gun you are carrying or intend to carry for self-defense. Your gun should be in good working order and chambered in a reasonable defensive caliber.
Before class, it’s a good idea to disassemble your gun, clean it, and put a light coat of oil on the moving parts. Don’t apply too much; a light coat is all you need. We see a lot of guns fail in classes due to too much (or too little) lubrication.
Bringing a spare gun, if you have one, is a good idea.
CARRYING YOUR GUN
There are two ways to bring your gun to a class: LOADED and in a holster, or UNLOADED and in a case.
If you have a Permit-to-Carry, the obvious way to bring your gun to class is loaded and in the holster. If you aren’t carrying your gun, then please bring it unloaded in a case. Please do not handle your gun without talking to an Instructor first. We’ll arrange for everyone to line up on the firing line and get their guns into the proper configuration for the class.
QSI runs a “hot” range. This means your gun will be loaded and in the holster for the duration of the course. We do this so our students can get used to carrying, maintain control of their guns, and because carrying an empty gun is frankly just silly.
MAGAZINES and AMMO
You can load your magazines before the class – go ahead and load them fully.
A speedloader, such as a LULA, can be helpful for reloading magazines. Bring at least three magazines, more if you have them. You will also need a magazine pouch to carry them in. QSI has loaners if you need, just let us know beforehand.
Bring 350 rounds of reliable ammo. Use only ammo you trust; it only takes one bad round to put your gun out of commission.
HOLSTER
Our preference is the strong-side hip or appendix holster. If you wish to bring a shoulder holster or other holster to class, please let us know beforehand. Some “one-way” holster designs, while effective for concealment, can be difficult to use in a class because reholstering may be difficult. We’re happy to work with you.
Avoid any and all nylon holsters. They are unsuitable for serious use.
If you don’t have a decent holster for your gun, let us know, again, loaners are available.
FOOD AND DRINK
Bring plenty of drinking water. We will provide some for the class. Regardless of the weather, outdoor activities can result in dehydration. Bring some snacks to keep your energy up. Ahlman’s has some drinks and snacks in the shop.
We ask that everyone bring a lunch so we can eat at the range. This helps keep the class on schedule.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT and CLOTHING
We recommend investing in a set of electronic hearing protection. You can get these for under $50 if you shop around. Electronic ear protection uses noise-cancelling technology which allows you to hear the range commands from the instructors.
Eye protection should cover the eyes on the front and sides. Prescription eyewear is fine for this. Sunglasses are recommended.
A baseball cap, or other brimmed hat, is needed to keep hot brass from lodging behind your shooting glasses or going down your shirt. Avoid low-cut shirts for the same reason.
Long-sleeve shirts and pants are recommended, but not required. Keep in mind you may be lying, rolling, or sitting on the ground during the class.
Some students prefer to wear gloves, as handling their gun can be hard on the hands. If you bring gloves, make sure you can operate your gun while wearing them.
Dress for the weather; bring a jacket and rain gear. You never know what the weather will do. We run classes rain or shine, so be prepared. Footwear should be closed-toe and provide good ankle support.
OTHER STUFF
Sunscreen and insect repellent are a must. You’re going to be outdoors, after all.
A notebook and pen for note-taking can be useful.
We love our students and are dedicated to their success! See you on the range!
Advanced Defensive Rifle
March 02, 2014
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Saturday October 7, 2017 – Saturday October 7, 2017
9525 West 230th Street
Description:
This course is designed to build the skills of QSI Defensive Rifle graduates. The QSI Defensive Rifle or equivalent is a required prerequisite. If you have questions about prerequisites, please feel free to contact us.
Topics covered include:
• Rifle to Pistol Transitions
• Check Drills, Emergency Reloads and Clearing Stoppages
• Alternative Sighting Methods (for when your optics fail)
• Movement Drills
• Using Cover & Alternate Shooting Positions
• Barricade Drills
• Shooting, Reloading, & Clearing Malfunctions while Wounded
For this class, you will need:
• Rifles, Pistol-Caliber Carbines, and AR15 pistols are all welcomed in this class.
• Rifle sling – single point or two point design is fine. If you have questions about slings, please ask us.
• 400 rounds of ammo
• 3 or more spare magazines
• Magazine carrier preferred (Plate carriers, chest rigs, battle belts, tactical vests, belt mounted, battle/sling bags, etc. all welcome)
• Ear Protection, electronic preferred (as it is much easier to hear instructors while on the firing line)
• Eye Protection
• Baseball cap or other brimmed hat (keeps hot brass out of your hair)
Handgun Partner Tactics
March 02, 2014
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Saturday August 5, 2017 – Saturday August 5, 2017
9525 West 230th Street
Description:
You carry a gun for self-defense, chances are you also have friends and family who do as well. This course is designed to teach two-person tactics for self-defense so you and your partner can work as a team.
Skills taught will include:
- Identifying threats as a team
- Engaging threats as a team
- How to communicate during emergencies
- Dealing with an injured/down partner
- Movement as a team
This class will feature dynamic scenario based shooting exercises and is meant for experienced shooters. QSI Advanced Handgun or equivalent is a required prerequisite. If you have questions about prerequisites, please feel free to contact us.
You do not need a partner to take this class. Qualified individuals are welcome to register and will be partnered up on class day.
SHOT Show Range Day
January 16, 2014
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We spent Monday at the SHOT Media Day at the range. There were several manufacturers on hand to let us test drive their products.
Suppressed firearms were in abundance. Suppressors are legal in 39 states, and the market is opening up more and more to citizens who are not in the military or law enforcement. Unfortunately, one of the states which does not recognize our right to own suppressors is Minnesota, so this was one of few opportunities we get to shoot suppressed guns.
The most interesting “new” guns were from Smith and Wesson. They are releasing improved versions of the K Frame .357 and L. frame .44 magnums. The .357 was pleasant to shoot, the .44 not so much. Their new 9mm revolver was also a big hit. It was accurate, controllable, and used moon clips.
We also checked out three .380s. Personall, Erik has a hard time getting excited about these, but we can’t deny there is a market for them. The Glock 41 is exactly what we would expect from Glock. It was the largest .380 we looked at. It has the same trigger and sights we would expect from a Glock, and is only slightly smaller than a S&W Shield.
Speaking of S&W, the Bodyguard .380 was a real suprirse. It was very accurate and had better sights than expected. The one downside was the trigger – long double-action style pull for each shot. It reminded us of a revolver trigger. This was our favorite .380 of the three.
Bringing up the rear was the Beretta Pico. We don’t have a lot of nice things to say about this one. Gritty, long trigger, small sights, and too small. It’s better than nothing.
We’ll have more SHOT updates soon – stay tuned!!
SHOT Show!
January 13, 2014
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Today, the QSI crew will be heading out to the SHOT Show day at the range. We’re looking forward to getting some hands on time with some of the new guns that will be hitting the market.
We’re joined by our good friend the Short Barrel Shepherd, who will also be posting updates to his blog.
Watch this space for daily updates from SHOT!
“Utah” begins with “YOU”
January 06, 2014
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We get a lot of questions about Utah Permit to Carry certification.
Utah requires certifying instructors to travel to Utah for qualification, and we don’t have any plans to do that soon.
Don’t worry, though, our NRA certification covers the sunny state of Florida, which gives you the same reciprocity as a Utah permit!
Plus it’s good for 7 years (as opposed to Utah’s 5).
Our next Permit to Carry Class is on February 23.
2014 SHOT Show!
January 06, 2014
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The QSI crew will be again attending the annual Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trades (SHOT) Show the week of January 14-17 in sunny Las Vegas.
We’ll be checking out the latest guns and gear and posting daily updates to our blog at www.qsitraining.net and we’ll be joined by our good friends at www.shortbarrelshepherd.com.
If there’s anything you want us to check out, be sure to let us know!
Low-Light Shooting
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Saturday October 14, 2017 – Saturday October 14, 2017
9525 West 230th Street
Description:
80% of all self-defense shootings occur in low-light. Are you ready for a low-light shooting?
This class is designed to teach low-light shooting for both handguns and long guns. Rifles, shotguns, pistol-caliber carbines, and AR15 pistols are welcomed in any caliber.
Topics covered:
Seeing better in low-light
Advantages and Disadvantages of low-light environments
Shooting in low-light without a flashlight
Choosing a flashlight
Advantages and Disadvantages of the flashlight
Flashlight techniques for long guns
Reloading and clearing stoppages while using a flashlight
Shooting with weapon-mounted lights
What you will need:
Handgun with three magazines, magazine pouches and Holster
Rifle, Shotgun, Pistol-Caliber Carbine, or AR15 Pistol
Two or more spare magazines and carriers for your rifle
Flashlight
Weapon mounted light (OPTIONAL)
Eye and Ear protection (available from the range)
200 rounds of ammunition for each weapon
Baseball cap
If you don’t have any of the above equipment, please let us know. We have some gear we can loan out and a limited number of guns for rent. We will also have flashlights and weapon-mounted lights available.
Because of the nature of this course, prior training with QSI or an equivalent level training is a required perquisite. If you have not trained with QSI before, please contact us before signing up.
Force on Force
January 06, 2014
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Saturday February 8, 2014 – Saturday February 8, 2014
17706 Valley View Drive
Description:
This training event provides a series of scenario-based exercises where you can practice your defensive pistol skills against live opponents in a dynamic Force-on-Force environment. Blue Guns, Airsoft and other training weapons will be used. This law-enforcement training facility features an indoor training space with several different scenario rooms.
Because of the challenging nature of this course, all participants must have some handgun experience. We recommend QSI Basic Defensive Handgun or similar training. If you are unsure about meeting the prerequisite requirements, please contact us.
The following equipment is recommended. If you do not have this equipment, please contact us, we have a limited amount of “loaner” gear.
– Paintball/Airsoft mask with full face protection
– Protective gloves
– Airsoft Gun, BBs and Gas
– Blue Gun/Red Gun training gun
– Rubber training knife
– Groin protector
– Long-sleeve shirt (hoodies or sweatshirts work great) and pants
– Knee/elbow pads
This program includes some physical contact and roleplaying with other participants.
We hope you can join us for this unique training opportunity!