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FAQ

Equipment (6)

The following is a good guide to follow:

  • An Open Mind
  • Semi-automatic Pistol, 9mm or larger defensive caliber
  • Military style autoloading rifle such as an AR-15 or AK-47 and must have iron sights
  • Pump shotgun such as a Remington 870 or Mossberg 590; Autoloading shotgun such as Remington 1187, Benelli M2, or Beretta 1201
  • Sling for all long guns
  • 3 Magazines (4 or more is preferred)
  • Handgun course ammunition 250 – 400 rounds
  • Rifle course ammunition 400 rounds, 50-100 pistol rounds
  • Shotgun course ammunition 100 – 175 rounds of buck shot, 25-50 rounds of slugs, 25-50 pistol rounds
  • Sturdy Belt Holster or concealment holster (cheap nylon holsters are NOT recommended)
  • A sturdy belt, preferably designed for use with a holster
  • Magazine carrier
  • Hat with brim
  • Safety Glasses
  • Hearing Protection
  • Vest or other concealment garment (Jacket, long-sleeved shirt)
  • Flashlight, with tail cap activation. MINIMUM 120 lumens. A weapon mounted flashlight on long guns is highly recommended
  • First Aid Kit
  • Rain Gear
  • Cold weather gear
  • Back-up gun (if you have one), .380 caliber or larger
  • Water
  • Insect repellant
  • Sunscreen
  • Hand Wipes
  • Pen and Paper

 


For Informed Choices or Handgun Fundamentals you do not need a firearm. If you don’t own a firearm, I can assist you in choosing a firearm and accessories that fit your needs.


No, but there are several reputable local dealers I can recommend.


We recommend calibers that are considered self-defense calibers, between 9mm and .45. For back-up guns we recommend a minimum of .380 caliber. We will consider smaller calibers in the course only for those with physical limitations that do not allow them to use a larger caliber.


No, for safety and reliability reasons. Factory and commercially reloaded ammunition is made by licensed and insured companies, using automated equipment.


In addition to the equipment you’d normally bring to a defensive handgun course, the following guide will assist you:

All students attending rifle or shotgun courses are required to bring one rifle/shotgun in an appropriate caliber.

RIFLE COURSES
Students attending rifle courses should bring a serviceable rifle chambered in a centerfire caliber (preferably 5.56 NATO or larger, although pistol caliber carbines will suffice in 9mm PARA or larger).  All rifles MUST have iron sites, even if such sights are used as a back-up for “red dot” sights or other optics.

SHOTGUN COURSES
Students attending shotgun courses should bring a serviceable shotgun chambered in 12 gauge or 20 gauge.  The front sight bead on most shotguns should be sufficient, but shotguns with rifle sights or red dot optics may be appropriate as well.

SLINGS
All rifles and shotguns must be equipped with sturdy slings.  Appropriate sling-styles include:
2-point (one end of the sling attaches to the front of the firearm, the other end to the rear)
Single-point (both ends attach to a single point on the stock)
Three-point slings are often cumbersome and not recommended.

SIGHTS & OPTICS ON RIFLES
All rifles must be equipped with fixed “iron sights.”  Mounted optics like “red dots” and other scopes should still be equipped with back-up iron sights (or “BUIs”).  Flip-up style BUIs are fine.

A durable red dot/holographic sight is highly recommended!  The reticle of such a site should “co-witness” with the BUIs. Magnified scopes may be appropriate, but magnification should be limited to 1.5-3x.  Such scopes should be durable and made for serious purposes.

Quick-release mounts are recommended for all optics, so that the operator might easily jettison the optic in exigent circumstances when the optics become unserviceable, reverting to BUIs.

LIGHTS
I highly recommend equipping all long guns with a rail mounted light. Long gun lights should use a minimum 120 lumen light. For rifles, the more lumens the better! A 500 lumen light will effectively illuminate targets at 40 meters and beyond.

Before your class date:
Although we will take time to assure that each weapon is properly sighted in on the first day of class, it is highly recommended that all Red dots, scopes, and iron sites are sighted in BEFORE coming to class.


First Time (8)

The following is a good guide to follow:

  • An Open Mind
  • Semi-automatic Pistol, 9mm or larger defensive caliber
  • Military style autoloading rifle such as an AR-15 or AK-47 and must have iron sights
  • Pump shotgun such as a Remington 870 or Mossberg 590; Autoloading shotgun such as Remington 1187, Benelli M2, or Beretta 1201
  • Sling for all long guns
  • 3 Magazines (4 or more is preferred)
  • Handgun course ammunition 250 – 400 rounds
  • Rifle course ammunition 400 rounds, 50-100 pistol rounds
  • Shotgun course ammunition 100 – 175 rounds of buck shot, 25-50 rounds of slugs, 25-50 pistol rounds
  • Sturdy Belt Holster or concealment holster (cheap nylon holsters are NOT recommended)
  • A sturdy belt, preferably designed for use with a holster
  • Magazine carrier
  • Hat with brim
  • Safety Glasses
  • Hearing Protection
  • Vest or other concealment garment (Jacket, long-sleeved shirt)
  • Flashlight, with tail cap activation. MINIMUM 120 lumens. A weapon mounted flashlight on long guns is highly recommended
  • First Aid Kit
  • Rain Gear
  • Cold weather gear
  • Back-up gun (if you have one), .380 caliber or larger
  • Water
  • Insect repellant
  • Sunscreen
  • Hand Wipes
  • Pen and Paper

 


Yes! Please check out my friend and mentor John Farnam and his books, The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning or The Farnam Method of Defensive Shotgun and Rifle Shooting. They are a great way to get ready!


For Informed Choices or Handgun Fundamentals you do not need a firearm. If you don’t own a firearm, I can assist you in choosing a firearm and accessories that fit your needs.


The Defensive Handgun, Rifle and Shotgun courses are 8 hours. The Competition Course is 7 hours. The Handgun Fundamentals and Informed Choices Before You Buy courses are 2 hours long.


You will learn options to enable a mindset that will prepare you for personal protection situations and a number of techniques that will get you familiar and comfortable with your firearm and how to manage those personal defense situations. 


The range location is Beaverbrook Tri-County Sportmans Club in Cedar, MN. The classroom courses are held in Carver, MN.


Yes, a practical skills will take place at the end of the course.  The reason behind this is  to ensure that the student has gained proficiency in the course materials to obtain a certificate of completion.


In addition to the equipment you’d normally bring to a defensive handgun course, the following guide will assist you:

All students attending rifle or shotgun courses are required to bring one rifle/shotgun in an appropriate caliber.

RIFLE COURSES
Students attending rifle courses should bring a serviceable rifle chambered in a centerfire caliber (preferably 5.56 NATO or larger, although pistol caliber carbines will suffice in 9mm PARA or larger).  All rifles MUST have iron sites, even if such sights are used as a back-up for “red dot” sights or other optics.

SHOTGUN COURSES
Students attending shotgun courses should bring a serviceable shotgun chambered in 12 gauge or 20 gauge.  The front sight bead on most shotguns should be sufficient, but shotguns with rifle sights or red dot optics may be appropriate as well.

SLINGS
All rifles and shotguns must be equipped with sturdy slings.  Appropriate sling-styles include:
2-point (one end of the sling attaches to the front of the firearm, the other end to the rear)
Single-point (both ends attach to a single point on the stock)
Three-point slings are often cumbersome and not recommended.

SIGHTS & OPTICS ON RIFLES
All rifles must be equipped with fixed “iron sights.”  Mounted optics like “red dots” and other scopes should still be equipped with back-up iron sights (or “BUIs”).  Flip-up style BUIs are fine.

A durable red dot/holographic sight is highly recommended!  The reticle of such a site should “co-witness” with the BUIs. Magnified scopes may be appropriate, but magnification should be limited to 1.5-3x.  Such scopes should be durable and made for serious purposes.

Quick-release mounts are recommended for all optics, so that the operator might easily jettison the optic in exigent circumstances when the optics become unserviceable, reverting to BUIs.

LIGHTS
I highly recommend equipping all long guns with a rail mounted light. Long gun lights should use a minimum 120 lumen light. For rifles, the more lumens the better! A 500 lumen light will effectively illuminate targets at 40 meters and beyond.

Before your class date:
Although we will take time to assure that each weapon is properly sighted in on the first day of class, it is highly recommended that all Red dots, scopes, and iron sites are sighted in BEFORE coming to class.


General (12)

Yes! Please check out my friend and mentor John Farnam and his books, The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning or The Farnam Method of Defensive Shotgun and Rifle Shooting. They are a great way to get ready!


Yes, except for dangerous weather conditions.  A light rain will not hold up training.  Remember, the bad guys don’t always wait for good weather!


Yes. Please check with me for an opening in my schedule for a time that is convenient for you.


For Informed Choices or Handgun Fundamentals you do not need a firearm. If you don’t own a firearm, I can assist you in choosing a firearm and accessories that fit your needs.


We recommend calibers that are considered self-defense calibers, between 9mm and .45. For back-up guns we recommend a minimum of .380 caliber. We will consider smaller calibers in the course only for those with physical limitations that do not allow them to use a larger caliber.


No, for safety and reliability reasons. Factory and commercially reloaded ammunition is made by licensed and insured companies, using automated equipment.


Yes, after completing the course and passing the skills test, I will issue a certificate of completion. 


The Defensive Handgun, Rifle and Shotgun courses are 8 hours. The Competition Course is 7 hours. The Handgun Fundamentals and Informed Choices Before You Buy courses are 2 hours long.


You will learn options to enable a mindset that will prepare you for personal protection situations and a number of techniques that will get you familiar and comfortable with your firearm and how to manage those personal defense situations. 


The range location is Beaverbrook Tri-County Sportmans Club in Cedar, MN. The classroom courses are held in Carver, MN.


Yes, a practical skills will take place at the end of the course.  The reason behind this is  to ensure that the student has gained proficiency in the course materials to obtain a certificate of completion.


In addition to the equipment you’d normally bring to a defensive handgun course, the following guide will assist you:

All students attending rifle or shotgun courses are required to bring one rifle/shotgun in an appropriate caliber.

RIFLE COURSES
Students attending rifle courses should bring a serviceable rifle chambered in a centerfire caliber (preferably 5.56 NATO or larger, although pistol caliber carbines will suffice in 9mm PARA or larger).  All rifles MUST have iron sites, even if such sights are used as a back-up for “red dot” sights or other optics.

SHOTGUN COURSES
Students attending shotgun courses should bring a serviceable shotgun chambered in 12 gauge or 20 gauge.  The front sight bead on most shotguns should be sufficient, but shotguns with rifle sights or red dot optics may be appropriate as well.

SLINGS
All rifles and shotguns must be equipped with sturdy slings.  Appropriate sling-styles include:
2-point (one end of the sling attaches to the front of the firearm, the other end to the rear)
Single-point (both ends attach to a single point on the stock)
Three-point slings are often cumbersome and not recommended.

SIGHTS & OPTICS ON RIFLES
All rifles must be equipped with fixed “iron sights.”  Mounted optics like “red dots” and other scopes should still be equipped with back-up iron sights (or “BUIs”).  Flip-up style BUIs are fine.

A durable red dot/holographic sight is highly recommended!  The reticle of such a site should “co-witness” with the BUIs. Magnified scopes may be appropriate, but magnification should be limited to 1.5-3x.  Such scopes should be durable and made for serious purposes.

Quick-release mounts are recommended for all optics, so that the operator might easily jettison the optic in exigent circumstances when the optics become unserviceable, reverting to BUIs.

LIGHTS
I highly recommend equipping all long guns with a rail mounted light. Long gun lights should use a minimum 120 lumen light. For rifles, the more lumens the better! A 500 lumen light will effectively illuminate targets at 40 meters and beyond.

Before your class date:
Although we will take time to assure that each weapon is properly sighted in on the first day of class, it is highly recommended that all Red dots, scopes, and iron sites are sighted in BEFORE coming to class.


Cancelation Policy (1)

Yes, except for dangerous weather conditions.  A light rain will not hold up training.  Remember, the bad guys don’t always wait for good weather!


Private Instruction (1)

Yes. Please check with me for an opening in my schedule for a time that is convenient for you.


Amunition (1)

No, for safety and reliability reasons. Factory and commercially reloaded ammunition is made by licensed and insured companies, using automated equipment.


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