With the boom of the AR-15 in popularity amongst firearms enthusiasts, many people have little to no training in how to use such a firearm in a tactical situation. I have always been interested in tactical training not only because of the cool factor, but it can benefit my shooting, and hone my skills for personal protection.
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.
This past Sunday, I was invited out to Canandaigua Sportsmen’s Club to do some tactical shooting with Ron Lauinger of LMI, Inc. When I arrived there, Ron was already stapling various zombie targets to stands, and he said we would be hunting zombies today! I was already excited.
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.