Four Leaf Turns 1...

"My authority..."

Wow... A year come and gone...

Thank you to all the folks that have help build Four Leaf!

Good advice?

At our recent IL Concealed Carry class, the topic of interacting with Law Enforcement came up. There are some interesting ideas presented below:



Additionally, more legal strategies, as described to the lay-person, are discussed in Andrew Branca's book, "The Law of Self Defense" (Link to Amazon.)

Interested in Competition?

Then this is the class you want:

December 7th Introduction to Competition Pistol at the Alpha Range in McHenry, IL

While learning rules of USPSA and IDPA competition, competitors will learn the basic techniques important for competition pistol shooting and will have a chance to put those techniques to the test on a few stages while getting constructive feedback.

Learn how to do things like this safely and correctly!

Competition Skills and Drills - Barricades and Long Shots...

We'll be examining barricades, tight leans and longer shots... We probably won't hammer as many rounds, but this'll be a good workout for accuracy!

Steve Anderson Training Class - January 12, 2014

Steve Anderson wrote the original manual on dry-fire and went from zero-to-GM in a matter of months! Check out what he's got to say in this challenging 1-day dry-fire AND live fire class!

Steve will be talking about:

• Transitions
• Principles of Position Entry and Exit
• Principles of Shooting on the Move
• Principles of Stage Breakdown

Illinois State Concealed Carry Instruction

Good news:

The Illinois State Police have accepted our documentation in order to assess the knowledge, skills and attitude of the people looking to obtain their IL concealed carry permits!

We'll be offering courses shortly!

Competition Skills and Drills - Close 'n' Fast - 10/9/2013

Hosing. Bill Drills. Close, fast transitions. Bring some moar ammo...

Jason Carillo's Introduction to Competitive Shotgun - October 12, 2013

We asked and you guys wanted it!

Four Leaf Training Presents:

Presented by XRails and Taccom3G sponsored 3-gun competitor, Jason Carillo, the Introduction to Competitive Shotgun class will focus on the role that the shotgun plays during a 3-gun match.

Carillo will guide students through a presentation of the fundamentals of shotgun controls, ammunition, chokes, and specialized gear and techniques in a classroom/demonstration setting before challenging the students with a number of guided exercises and mock-stages. No specialized equipment is required for the class - Jason will have some gear for sale and to try out/sample at the end of the class, including the awesome XRail tube system.

Competition Skills and Drills - Match Skills - 9/11/2013

This month, we're going to be digging into some shooting on the move scenarios and will have few partial stage setups for us to work the time down on...

Need Scaled Targets?

Had a number of people ask me about scaled targets:

Check out these links - printable scaled targets in a variety of sizes:

https://app.box.com/s/8b18k49luxd3catm68sj

https://app.box.com/s/9zb7unx9x6auxmxlq7r0

https://app.box.com/s/mt9ap46j1k4drpourus9

https://app.box.com/s/uw51mfzbeq90qftyg5dc

Competition Skills and Drills - Core Skills - 8/14/2013

For the Competition Skills and Drills course on 8/14/2013, we'll be breaking down two USPSA classifiers and examining their scoring. Specifically, El Presidente and Hoser Heaven

What does this mean, exactly?

Obviously, USPSA classifiers involve core shooting skills and gun handling skills, but since they are repeatable, we can use a desired performance score on a classifier to work backwards and establish aggressive par times that guide a competitor's training. Over the long run, practicing these core skills helps consistent match performance.

I'm challenging you to come with a goal in mind: if you want to get a class bump, let's work backwards to find out an aggressive par time that'll get you there!

Competition Skills & Drills (Block 2)

Block 2 - Accuracy

Following our 5 Skill Blocks/1 Mini Match format, for our second block we are going to introduce some drills designed to test and improve accuracy. Even though each block builds on the last session they are completely independent of one another. What this means is that participating in Block 2 without having participated in Block 1 is not only possible but is seamless. As always we look forward to seeing everyone on the 10th

Transition Like a Boss: JC Shows Us How

Rob Leatham says "HELL YEAH!"

Transitioning is key... JC does this.

People think that running faster or drawing faster is what saves the most amount of time, but in reality, it is being able to get the gun shooting faster across banks of targets.

This holds true in rifle and shotgun shooting too...

JC is going to be doing some training with Excel in Lombard and we'll be sure to post information about any upcoming classes. (We're hoping to snag him for a week-night shotgun clinc at some point...)

New Things For This Wednesday

In addition to our monthly "Intro to Competition Pistol" class this Wednesday, Les will also be available for Private/Semi-Private instruction on a closed range. Private is handled on a 1 to 1 basis and Semi-Private is limited to 3 shooters. Topics can be of your choosing or Les can evaluate and customize the class as needed.  There is a 2 hr minimum and 4 hr maximum on  Private/Semi-Private bookings during the week.

We understand it's short notice but the opportunity just presented itself so we wanted to make it available.

To register for "Intro to Competition Pistol" please click the button here:

For more information about Private/Semi-Private instruction or to reserve times please email:

tbrown@fourleaftraining.com. 

Ben Stoeger Breaksdown Stages.

These are excellent videos...

To shoot the drop turner or not...

Had a great time shooting USPSA at Oak Park Sportsmen's Club this past weekend - we're gearing up for 2013 USPSA Area 5 and this looks like it'll be a stage at the match.

As we were watching, some of us debated whether it was worth engaging the drop turner (no penalty mikes) or if was better to just blow past it. Engaging vs. not-engaging is usually a wash, but in this particular stage not-engaging may have saved a fuzzy reload.

The trouble was that the stage required 11 rounds to complete and competitors started with an empty gun.

I decided to gamble and trust that I could execute a reload, rack the slide, then perform another reload before getting into a shooting position.

This time... It paid off! By not engaging, I was able to shave ~3 seconds off my time compared to most competitors. Even though I missed out on 10 points, a 3 second margin was high enough to ensure a solid lead. (Interestingly, the stage counted for 65 points even though I only shot a 55 point stage effectively - just interesting math in USPSA sometimes...)

Competition Skills & Drills at Alpha Range

Come help us break in the new range with our new format!!!!!!

We're going to hit the ground running and introduce skill blocks. Each month of our five month cycle we will introduce a different "block". The sixth month we'll have a Mini Match. If you're wondering what a Mini Match is then let me explain. A Mini Match is a single long stage or two smaller stages that will incorporate all five elements of the blocks that have been addressed. Shooters will be able to run the Mini Match as many times as time allows. Doing so allows the shooters to work on techniques through repetition and correction.

Our first block will address the draw and transitions at speed. To do so we will be utilizing plate racks, dueling trees and other steel elements. Our plan is to move through rather quickly to avoid wait time between shooters and allow for some head to head competition to wrap up the evening.

We'd really like to have you join us.

Stage Breakdown - Ben Stoeger's Advice!

Intro to Competition Pistol

For the shooter wanting to enter into pistol competition this 3 hour class will be an introduction to the rules and safety procedures needed to get started. This is accomplished through a small class size where individual attention coupled with open communication leads to a solid foundation in the shooting sports. Classroom topics covered will include safety, equipment, range procedures, basic rules, basic scoring and what to expect on the range. The live fire element of the class will expose the new shooter to a basic stage scenario where the shooter will have a chance to practice what they’ve learned in a low stress (uncompetitive) environment. The live fire portion of the class also gives the instructors an opportunity to evaluate and address any safety issues the student may exhibit prior to participating in a USPSA or IDPA match.

This introduction is designed for intermediate shooters who are looking to begin participating in action pistol shooting sports. Students should be knowledgeable with the safety and operation of their pistol and related equipment. Additionally students should be familiar with using and drawing from a holster. New shooters not familiar with the above should contact us to discuss training that will bring you to this level. 

 Prior to attending it is strongly recommended that students familiarize themselves with the rulebook that pertains to the sport (USPSA or IDPA) that they wish to participate in.

USPSA Rules
IDPA Rules

Required equipment to bring includes:

• Reliable, modern pistol or revolver. 
• A quality holster as described in the relevant rulebook. 
•  Minimum of 3 magazines (pistol) or 4 speed loaders (revolver) *more is preferred* 
• Minimum of 2 magazine carriers (pistol) or 3 speed loader carriers (revolver) 
• 100 rounds of quality ammunition. We may not shoot this much but it’s best to have extra. 
• Appropriate eye and ear protection. 

Should an event sell out you may register for the waiting list. In the event of a cancellation participants on the waiting list will be contacted in the order that they registered. Cancellations with more than 48 hrs notice will result in a full refund. Cancellations with less than 48 hrs notice will result in a 50% credit towards the next available class.

Magazine Pouches

I've never really had a holster fetish - I started shooting with a non-Serpa Blackhawk! paddle holster and I still loan it out on occasion. I moved on to a Safariland ALS holster for IDPA on a whim, then settled in the Safariland 5187/5188 holster. All that stuff worked fine until I got the Beretta... The older Brigadier slide (it is wider than a standard Beretta 92) limits the holster options. Comp-Tac just discontinued theirs leaving Blade-Tech the only real manufacturer of Brig holsters around (which is fine since they make nice gear...). I guess I've been lucky in that regard, as I hear a lot about people who have drawers full of holsters.

So, let's talk about the other end of the equation: production magazine holders... (I avoid Limited/Open pouches, because these are far less constrained - magnets, etc...)

I started off with simple Uncle Mike's double pouches. While these will work, after a while I found myself too cramped by the spacing to reload from them effectively. I started searching for a better system, and, unlike my experience with holsters, I've had to switch things around a fair bit: I jumped from Blade-Tech pouches to Ghost holders to the Safariland ELS system.


Safariland

Unless you're getting into 3-gun, I don't recommend the Safariland ELS system as much anymore - you can see my older review and what I used for the first 5 years of competition. 

The ELS system is great for 3-gun, and it does work, but if you find other equipment that you want

mounted, you're SOL - I guess that is my biggest beef with it. (Other than the belt "nubs" that you have to align to the holes on the belt)  I moved from the Ghost pouches to the 773 pouches because I couldn't reliably mount the holders on the belt and still leave a configuration for rifle pouches, etc.

Regarding the Safariland 773 and 771 pouches - you still see 'em a lot out there, but I think that there are better holders since the retention screws tend to back out and leave magazines flopping a bit. They are angle adjustable, but that's about it.


Ghost pouches

These are pretty awesome, especially since you can flip the magazines sideways. The spring clip really keeps the magazines in there - see the video. They can mount "easy-on/easy-off" to a belt and are angle adjustable. For ~$25.00 a pouch, you can't really go wrong.

ReadyTac

For the simplest setup, check out ReadyTac's pouches: The design is self-tensioning, which means there are no screws, clips, etc. They aren't adjustable, but for CCW or IDPA, that's ok. Don't bother with the pro-grade stuff - the simple design is easy-on/easy-off and works just fine. Bonus: You won't need a race belt to keep this together...







This, can by no means, be a comprehensive list of products; there are just too many makers out there! Don't be afraid to experiment and see what works well, but learn the proper setup:

The biggest issue with magazine carriers is placement - once carriers start to get forward of pant seam, I feel like it becomes more important to begin sweep back the angle - i.e. the top of the first magazine should be behind the bottom of the magazine. I think too many people try to align the pouches vertically, which leads to an uncomfortable wrist angle and improper grip which impedes magazines indexing.

Did You Just Give Up?

I read this article on the way to work this morning. It really is excellent advice and has 6 (really 7) simple steps for getting "better" at something.

1. Pursue what you love.
2. Do the hardest work first.
3. Practice intensely.
4. Seek expert advice in small doses.
5. Take regular breaks.
6. Ritualize practice.
7. Prioritize your practice time.

A lot of performing well on the range, at work, on the court, in the ring, etc. is all about small steps, repeatedly over the long run. It is almost necessary to have an efficient process for time management. (My advice? Try "Getting things done" by David Allen)

Do not believe that some folks are genetically predisposed to greatness - you just haven't seen the hours upon hours of practice that Eric or Ben or Leatham have put into honing their craft; it is an easy copout to say "they're mutants" or something.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."
- Will Durant

Registration is now open for April Skills & Drills! 

We'll be covering swingers, drop turners, disappearing targets and the strategies that go with them...
Wear an easy to read watch and be prepared to do a little bit of math!

If you didn't get Ben & Jay's Champion Shooting books at the last class we have more available. We will have Ben's new book that goes into detail regarding fundamentals soon. If you need them we have them. Let us know...

March Skills & Drills

Registration is now open for March Skills & Drills! 

We'll be examining position entry, specifically the concept of how the "gun being ready" applies. We will apply this to ports and walls specifically.

If you didn't get Ben & Jay's Champion Shooting books at the last class we have more available. We will have Ben's new book that goes into detail regarding fundamentals soon. If you need them we have them. Let us know...

February Class Update: Books!

This month we will be working on some basic dry fire techniques and then put those techniques to practice with live fire. Most of our work will be centered around reloads.

We're also very happy to announce that two time back-to-back USPSA National Champion Ben Stoeger has made it possible for us to offer the Champion Shooting books that he wrote with Jay Hirshberg. Hard copies of the book will be available for purchase in class and really are an unprecedented resource for anyone looking to rapidly advance their competitive game.

Thanks Ben!

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who attended our first Intro to Competition Pistol / Skills and Drills class. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves and left satisfied. Remember that no two classes will be the same. Our goal is to keep things new and interesting.

In February we will be running a smaller class consisting solely of Skills & Drills. New Shooter classes will resume in March. We will update the calendar as new events are scheduled so check back often.


Registration for Skills & Drills on February 13th will open at 8pm tomorrow night...

Here We Go.....

We're proud to announce the first Intro to Competition Pistol / Skills and Drills class. This event will be Wednesday, January 9th from 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM at On Target Range & Tactical Center in Crystal Lake.

For those seeking to begin shooting pistols competitively  the New Shooter registration is open now.

For those of you already classified the Skills & Drills registration will open at 8PM on Sunday, January 6th.