quote:

Originally posted by Aquabird:
We considered classes there, but thought they were more geared to instruct professionals instead of guys like myself and my son.

They have a great number of classes and work with all level of shooter. They have everything from Handgun 101 for absolute beginners, to intermediate and advanced classes. Ladies-only programs to LEO SWAT tactics classes.

Of course, they also have guest instructors - hint, hint - including Jerry Jones, Bruce Gray and many others.

quote:

Originally posted by Aquabird:
Good luck, hope you learn and enjoy both.

We considered classes there, but thought they were more geared to instruct professionals instead of guys like myself and my son. So, we opted for Gunsite.

If you are a pro, like it sounds you are, you should be in for a real treat. The pro shops are expensive but stocked well.

Just to add to what the others said: definitely not the case.

Every class I have taken is low-key and there are most definitely a range of skill levels and types of people. Instructors are level and mellow, for sure, and if you can't do something because of inability or skill level, you won't have to do anything or be made to feel bad if you can't. Even in the intermediate level classes like handgun 104, you see a range of people.

I've never not had fun--even in the pouring rain--up there, and have always learned something.

here ya go Oat Actiom Man:
The class was awesome, our instructor was Kerry Davis who is passionate about the subject matter and is extremely knowledgeable and a good instructor/educator to boot! Going into a class that has no requirement of any type of previous medical experience as a medic of many years I can honestly say that even I got a lot out of it....tons of accurate information/education and done professionally. I strongly recommend this class for the lay person or professional alike....everyone will benefit from it and it just may save your life or a friends life.
Range time was eye opening with an all day learning experience with tourniquets being applied after being “shot” in either strong hand/weak hand drills...this required reloading/working through failures one handed and re-engaging with both long gun and sidearm. good skills to build on no doubt...you hope it never comes to it in real life!
The place in general is a class act, there was nothing that we needed that they couldn’t provide.
I did visit the pro-shop....and I will be picking up a new weapon at my local FFL this week...just in time to shoot with my tactical team on friday

Yep, the most dangerous place at Sig Academy is the Pro Shop.

Edit: but I do have to say the second most dangerous place is in the tactical Training Area compound doing a Todd Rassa force on force course .... sometimes there is real blood letting in there...

Thanks for the review.

How was instruction split up over the 3 days? What would you say the percentage was of medical vs shooting instruction? Aside from the listed gear, what sorts of gear would you suggest bringing or did other people bring?

The class is heavy on medical with the first two days of medical lecture. He does keep it entertaining and you will get a ton of information which he does a great job of breaking it down making it easy to understand. you will be applying a tourniquet multiple times those two days at a moments notice which will prepare you for day three on the range. He showed a video of an individual getting shot twice, one arm shot and one leg which was the one responsible causing him to go unconscious in under 18 seconds....reinforces the need to have a tourniquet on you and be fast with it!
day three is all day on the range, multiple drills where you will end up simulating having one arm taken out of the fight and have to shoot, apply touraquet, reload and re-engage one handed...with both pistol and long gun.
I would say it’s a medical class with some shooting...but you get valuable experience from it. I again, would recommend it for all shooters, both pros and lay person.
Anything you need will be provided by the academy...at no charge...we chose to not bring our ARs due to having to travel through Mass....they are not too warm and fuzzy when it comes to firearms. They provided us with ARs and some of the other students were provided pistols as well.
Their list of needed items is pretty inclusive but again, they will provide anything you don’t bring. Someone did bring a speed loader for mags but realistically it wasn’t needed.
The instructor did offer tips/instruction with shooting specifically but the concentration is on saving your own ass or a buddies.

The opinion that a class like this is not worth it is rampant as most shooters dont find it “sexy” with more shoot time...even on our tactical team I can see it as they depend on us being next to them when the shit goes south....most shooters dont have that luxury though.
If you go, you won’t regret it.