School Uniforms
I took a Gunsite 150 class at Shooter’s World in Orlando over the weekend, and I tell you, I have never had a bad class when a Gunsite Instructor was teaching it. The professionalism and teaching ability of Gunsite instructors is simply outstanding, and I learned a lot in this class, not just as a shooter but as an instructor as well.
However, one thing I noticed in class (and this is not Gunsite’s fault) is when class was over, no one swapped out their training holsters and pistols for gear that was more suitable for concealed carry.
Gunsite requires OWB (Outside the Waistband) holsters for their beginning classes, which is cool, ‘cause I do the same. They do this for the same reason I do it: It’s a lot easier to see the condition of their pistols and be certain of their holstering/reholstering skills, which is important in a beginning class.
However, OWB holsters are harder to conceal than IWB (Inside The Waistband) holsters). When I took Gunsite classes in the past, I swapped out my school holster for my concealed carry holster, loaded my gun with carry ammo, donned my cover garment and walked off the range. This class, however, I was the only one who used the gun they shot in the class as their concealed carry gun once class was over.
And I just don’t understand this. Aside from one competition-focused class with Bob Vogel (a top-rated competition shooter) and a close-quarters combat class where plates and helmets were required, every class I’ve ever taken has been done with a gun that I have used for concealed carry. I want to learn how to perform well with the tools I have on-hand, not something I only touch every other month or something. Gun school for me isn’t about playing dress-up with gear that’s optimized for the range, it’s about applying the lessons I learn at the range to how I live my life. In other words, what happens on the range doesn’t stay on the range, it follows me wherever I go.
Train with your gear, but more importantly, train with the gear you’re expecting to use to save your life. If that gear doesn’t work well for you in a class at the range, I guarantee it won’t work well for you when everything you hold dear is on the line.
