Extend your range and change your perspective
In the movie Dead Poets Society an unorthodox teacher instructs his students to stand on their desks. In doing so, they learn that by changing where they stand, their perspectives and views of what is around them changes. We recently enjoyed a similar paradigm shift at California Tactical Academy.
We hosted an Extended Range Handgun class where students engaged USPSA-sized targets from 10 yards to 200 yards in distance. The course is designed for handgun hunters, and any handgun shooter with the idea that they would learn about the ballistic and accuracy limits of their handguns, as well and focus on the absolute essentials for accurate shooting. Any handgun is welcomed, and we expected to see at least one magnum caliber, single action revolver or similar handgun particularly suited for such longer shots.
Interestingly enough, none of the students had any interest in handgun hunting. 9-millimeter was the norm. The students, to a shooter, were concerned with their comfort level at engaging targets exceeding 15 yards. Our second firing evolution was at 15 yards and that was the last we saw anything inside 25 yards for the remainder of the day. In fact, we stepped out to 50 yards, then moved to 100 even before lunch. The students were even able to get multiple hits on a USPSA target at 200 yards using commercial reloads, from box stock semi-automatic pistols while in field positions. (We eschew bench shooting except for zeroing, scope adjustments, or testing of firearms and ammunition.)
By the time we finished class, everyone’s perspective had changed dramatically. When 25 yard off hand grouping exercises are the norm, 15-yard A zone hits become common place when applying even the most rudimentary fundamentals. While I envisioned the course benefiting handgun hunters, I quickly learned that the true value of this program is less about harvesting animals and more about building confidence and giving people a chance to see their skills and tools from another vantage point. Which is a rousing success in my book.
If you want to try your hand at extended range handgun shooting, you can join us for this class, or rent one of our private ranges, we have several that go to 200 yards and beyond.
For more information about this, or other courses, browse our website at https://ctala.com/ and reach out by either phone, or contact form.
About the writer
Mike Lazarus
Military and Law Enforcement Veteran
FBI certified firearm instructor
MP5 and Sub Machine gun instructor
Defensive tactics instructor
