AAR for SSV Tactical Pistol (16 hour) Class in Brighton, CO

This is an intermediate pistol class, according to Coach Kelly Hohnholz and he teaches this class as a conglomerate of his experiences. The main bulk of the theory comes from Paul Howe’s CSAT (whose class I have not taken). The CSAT theory seems to focus on fundamentals in the 10 “standards” that are not easily attained without practice. As I have only now been exposed to them, I need to practice these standards, as these standards feel like they compose the elements of most all shooting: be it competition, shooting as a day-job (pew-professional), or self-defense.

He mixes Paul Howe material with Pat McNamera drills and theories from many other of the great instructors of yesterday and today. He also does a pretty good Pat Mac (having only seen Pat Mac on youtube, it sounded like a good impression). The drills were a blast to run, challenging, and pointed out more deficiencies on which to practice.

MEDIUM ROUND COUNT - GOOD
These fundamentals seem to focus on low round count and high practice of dryfire, but Coach Kelly Hohnholz had no problem letting the class shoot as much as we wanted or needed, and at the end of the 2nd day, we were fairly spent. I did not feel like I used too much or too little ammunition, and did not feel like any ammo was wasted by the drills and standards shooting (except when I missed the target). I think I went through about 500 rounds.

VERY GOOD INSTRUCTOR
We felt like a lower maintenance group of shooters, so the class with very few hiccups and the instruction was pointed, well organized, and efficient. Coach Kelly Hohnholz commands his material very well, and what he teaches works. His observations and corrections to my shooting helped me to shoot better… hard to argue with results. He has an easy style and gives good criticism without being demeaning, and makes the class interesting with stories, analogies, saying, witticisms, and jokes. I wrote down a handful to remember.

RANGE
This is a typical, dynamic range setup with three berm walls, and relatively clearly marked shooting lines. Range setup and cleanup used a very minimum time. We had good weather, and the approach road was dry. Coach Kelly warned that it might need to be taken with a 4x4 because of higher grass and dips, etc, so I rode in another student’s car the first day to avoid and time problems, if I were to get stuck. After seeing the road, the second day I had no problem driving in with my small, semi-electric car. It was a good range. We also toured the CQB shoot house which I am eager to try on a later class.

OVERALL
I highly recommend taking this class. Not only would I take another class with Coach Hohnholz, but I will only take another class after practicing what I’ve now been exposed to. This is good stuff.

Considering I’m signed up for his rifle class in two weeks, I’ve got a bunch of practice in my near future.