Chuck Taylor Course in Arizona

[Porcupine]

Also had a wee trip to Scottsdale gun club

Scottsdale is fantastic. Not many places you can shoot post-'86 MGs. My favourite was the SCAR :mrgreen: So go on, how much money went up in smoke in the chamber of the G36? :lol:

Did you visit the Bass Pro store in Phoenix? They have a huge selection of guns but the store itself is just incredible. Enormous and full of fantastic displays.

[Chuck]

Hi porcupine, I stayed at a motel just 10 minutes from Basspro by car!!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing place and I always spend in there, last time I was in I spent in the $000's dollars between Basspro and SGC. I love those Ruger Gaucho revolvers!

There is just so much I want to buy in basspro, I was talking to a local chap in Basspro and he told me to be careful.."Basspro can empty my wallet faster than my wife"..I believe him. The staff are brand new too, very helpful and friendly...

The HK G36, nice but nowt special, still prefer the Sig 550..as to how much..I am just waiting on the missus to phone me with the credit card bill. I did this trip on the cheap for once, I reckon ex food but with car hire etc for 17 days about $1600. I covered 850 miles and used $120 of gas (Dodge Avenger).

I rattled off about 9 x 20 rounds/loaded mags on the G36 but all controlled fire - semi auto or 3 shot burst using trigger control -, no mag emptying for the hell of it (message to self - go for it next time).

I also shot about 200 rounds in the Glock 17 at SGC and 250 the day before at Caswells in Mesa...had to get on the ball befoe the course LOL. Caswells let me down, they insisted I join their club ($344) before using their G36, SGC were just hire and fire. I have also fired an M60 and FN240 at SGC - along with loadsa other stuff like a Sten, Uzi, MP5, AK47 etc etc all full auto stuff.

BTW: Prices are still good. Walmart were selling Wrangler jeans at £16.50, here in Glasgow Debenhams sell them for FIFTY QUID!

We should get a FB team together, if we had enough folks we could get a course of our own with Chuck T..He can supply the weapons and ammo...I am sure I could even get my friends there to arrange a wee course and some desert time on a selection of guns or even a wee survival course in case of zombie attacks.....just pay him for ammo, targets and cleaning.

I'll be back as often as possible for sure next year to keep up to speed...

Chuck

[Robin128]

Looks like you are having a good time out there.

Absolutely hammering down here...same weather system that caused the snow in NY.

[Chuck]

Back in UK right now freezing my butt off up here Rob.

There were three girls on the course, one should not have been there..way too advanced for her..she did not even know how to clear a stoppage or when to reload..

The course itself was an Advanced Tactical Handgun (Level 2) course, a new addition to Chuck T's list. I did the original Advanced Tactical handgun course a while back..it lasted 4 days... All courses are run "hot Range" from the word go. You get a stoppage then YOU fix it and finish the job, no RO to hold your hand, wipe yer bum and generally stop you from learning...When not shooting all guns are holstered loaded. Only time we unload is for lunch or dry fire, but immediately AFTER dry fire we reload again.

Chuck T had also just run a sniper course over 7 days plus a tactical shotgun course (I could not get to that as BA were being stupid with ticket prices).

It was 100F and way ay above normal for that area. The Valley is MUCH MUCH warmer in summer, remember this was October and the range is higher up. As it is so dry there is no perspiration ...........................and nae snotturs either ! You just keep drinking, add sunscreen - the locals do keep a watch on you. The lass from California was a bit wabbit by late Saturday afternoon on the first day due to the heat.

The Glock and ammo were supplied by Chuck T...

The Roadblock ambush scenario was just a blast.

We had a car (rented of course) and we had to drive up to a barricade manned by 4 hostile steel plates, stop, enagage them from INSIDE the car (not hiding behind a door with your legs showing and no protection for the torso). Lots of scope for role playing as it had to be done "for real"!

So; Drive up to barrier, STOP. Go through routine X hostiles right and left, open door, bang bang as required, CLEAR. Reload, and reverse back PDQ to the start line. Thankfully I had done shooting from car before so no sweeping of the nuts for Chuckie! On the last run for me as passenger I am SURE (They deny it) that they had set a target NOT to fall.

I leaned out, bang bang and heard the tink tink (9MM FMJ) and the outer target went down. Same again FOR THE INNER, lower gun, assess, HMMmmm Still standing. OK, let's try that again, I KNOW I hit it cos I heard the rounds hit. Lowered the gun, GRR STILL f-(*&n STANDING! Bruce my buddy was ready to reverse away as had RELOAED and placed the pistol AT HIS SIDE. I shouted that I was "still on my hostiles wearing kevlar" and he just laughed and said ."just shoot him in the head then ". I did and it fell> B#gger me!

Back at the start we discussed it as a group as usual and received pats on the back from the group (they are Americans remember) for the professional way we dealt with it..Chuck T pointed out that it is easy to become fixated and put rounds on a target that will not go down....seems my drill skills were way OK and the finale was just the job as it should be.. Must admit I was fair chuffed with that shot at around 20 yards onto a postcard sized hit area from a seated position INSIDE a car.

Bottom line, great training, constructive advice at all times and virtually one on one with Chuck T - and no bullsh1t or showing off.

Oh and the clothing, not as overdressed as it seems, got to avoid sunburn at that teperture. . 5.11 trousers, lightweight. SPF sun screening shirt and lightweight trainers, and a water bottle carrier on the belt at back. Still got the burn mark on my right arm from where an empty .45 casing landed on it. The wee singe on my chest has now gone - that was a 9mm case from the guy next to me - the casing went down my shirt..thank god for tight trouser belts! Wearing shorts at these things is NOT a good idea, guns get very hot.

[Robin128]

Great account of your visit, Chuck.

Bet you feel odd without those handguns and SLRs to practice with.

[Chuck]

Totally naked mate.

Great to see blokes pass by on their bikes, handgun on hip etc or go for a burger with 20 odd lads and lassies, all carrying concelaed or open...A very friendly society for sure.

[ovenpaa]

It really does sound like a great time was had by all, the weather alone is a good incentive to head that way come next November and add some quality range time and it sounds like a hoot, do they do lower level classes?

[froggy]

re-

Thanks for the retex on your course. :goodjob:
Sounds brilliant !!

[Chuck]

ovenpaa, Yes he does everything from beginners upwards...and he does it very well indeed. .

If we got enough folks we could have our own course...Beauty about his training is that people come on in leaps and bounds very quickly...

I could probably also arrange a NON Chuck T course in Az, probably in the desert with mulltiple weapons (Pistol, shotgun, AR's)..Not full auto though..

I reckon that if we could get say 8 -12 together we could arrange something that would suit ALL, maybe a pistol /rifle or pistol/shotgun course. Static, shoot move etc etc..maybe over 3-5 days. Chuck is awaiting range dates for Ben Avery as I write. For me, the good thing about Arizona is it is a direct flight from Heathrow to Phoenix and it is easy to get about there. Also indoor ranges are easily found, like Scottsdale or Caswells, that I also use a lot.

To plan something just for FB would need decisions and agreements about time etc well in advance as the sooner you fly the more BA charge! Also things like accommodation, anyoine sharing etc can all help keep costs down.. Ideally a two week plus stay would allow some sightseeing like Tombstone, Pima Air Museaum, Pima Missile Silo etc. and shopping of course... After hours there is the Tilted Kilt http://www.tiltedkilt.com/ which is great for a few beers

Of course if anyone would be interested in doing his courses outwith an FB group that would not be a problem..

I'll keep everyone posted of dates as they occur of course. Even if you're not pistol proficient I can do a couple of sessions on a local range beforehand as a warm up and you'll be OK. If it's a mixed skills/abilities group then no worries, Chuck T can handle it .

Just one thing though, these courses are not about shooting holes in paper, wasting ammo and generally messing around, they are for real.

Any feedback welcome on this.

[froggy]

Salut ,

Excellent idea .
I am off at the end of the month for 1 week shooting in Europe , I am sure it'll be great but not as hot & pleasant as your Arizona trip ....