VICKERS TACTICAL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: (Please note that that exact course content can and will vary depending on the skill level of the participants in the class.)

Carbine Basic: An entry level course for carbine shooters. This class is geared for those who have not had any formal instruction. Topics covered include safety, stance, zeroing for iron sights and optics, sight alignment and trigger control. Familiarization with their carbine includes field stripping and maintenance. Other subject matter that is covered includes reloads, presentation, shooting positions, and introduction to different skill drills including dry fire and bullseye shooting.

Class requirements:

• Eye & Ear protection (electronic hearing protection is strongly recommended)
• Serviceable carbine – typical calibers are 9mm, 45 ACP, 30 cal, 5.56 mm, 7.62 x 39mm
• Serviceable sling- suitable for a variety of shooting positions – tactical type preferred
• Minimum 1 magazine pouch – or method to carry spare magazine(s)
• Minimum of 3 serviceable magazines (5 is better)
• 800 rounds of ammo for two days (400 per day) – service type
• Suitable range wear depending on the season
• Good attitude

Carbine I – Introductory Level: For shooters who have had at least a basic carbine class either from Vickers Tactical or any other accredited instructor. Topics covered include basic carbine topics and the following: malfunction drills, shooting on the move, and transitions. Introduction to timed fire drills and evaluations based on class skill level. Night fire will depend on time of year and range restrictions. Class equipment is the same as the carbine basic with the addition of a weapon mounted flashlight and service pistol (minimum 9mm para caliber). Ammo requirement is 800 rounds plus 300 rounds pistol.

Carbine II – Intermediate Level Requirements are same as Carbine I. No waivers from any other instructors granted. Review of topics in Carbine I and more advanced shooting on the move and skill drills, including barricade and weak side shooting. Courses of fire to be used are based on skill evaluation and development. Shooter will leave the course with a firm grasp on strengths and weaknesses, as well as drills to help themselves improve. Ammo requirement is 800 rounds.

Carbine III – Advanced Level Requirements are Carbine I and II. No waivers from any other instructors granted. Topics covered include everything in Carbine II taken to a higher level, as well as an introduction to different advanced skill drills. This is a master class level and above course; regardless of your skill level you will be challenged. Equipment requirement are the same as Carbine I with the exception of 1000/500 rounds of Carbine/Pistol ammo needed.

Battle Rifle classes are available in the same formats (7.62 NATO rifles – FN FAL, HK G3/91, M1A/M14, etc.)

Please contact Vickers Tactical for specific requirements.

(Please note that that exact course content can and will vary depending on the skill level of the participants in the class.)

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Pistol Basic: This class is an entry level course for handgun shooters and is designed specifically for those who have not had any formal instruction. Topics covered include the following: safety, stance, grip, sight alignment and trigger control. Familiarization with their service pistol includes field stripping and maintenance. In addition to this, other topics that are covered include reloads, draw, and introduction to different skill drills including dry fire and bullseye shooting. Class requirements:

• Eye & Ear protection (electronic hearing protection is strongly recommended)
• Serviceable handgun of at least 9mm Para caliber
• Serviceable holster
• Minimum 1 double magazine pouch
• Minimum of 3 serviceable magazines (5 is better)
• 800 rounds of ammo for two days 
• Suitable range wear depending on the season
• Good attitude

Pistol I – Introductory Level: This class is for shooters who have had at least a basic pistol class either from Vickers Tactical or any other accredited instructor. State concealed carry certification classes specifically do not qualify. Topics covered include basic pistol topics and the following: malfunction drills, shooting on the move, and strong hand and weak hand shooting. Introduction to timed fire drills and evaluations based on class skill level. Concealed carry methods are also covered. Night fire will depend on time of year and range restrictions.

• Class equipment requirements are the same as Pistol Basic.
• Hand held flashlight and spare batteries.
• Ammo requirement is 800 rounds.

Pistol II – Intermediate Level: Review of topics in Pistol I with more advanced shooting on the move and skill drills. Courses of fire to be used are based on the skill level and evaluation of the shooters. The shooter will leave the course with a firm grasp on both strengths and weaknesses, and drills to help themselves improve.

• Class equipment requirements are the same as Pistol I.
• Ammo requirement is 1000 rounds.
• No waivers from any other instructors granted.
• Pistol I is a prerequisite for participation in Pistol II.

Pistol III – Advanced Level: Everything in Pistol II taken to a higher level. Introduction to different advanced skill drills. This is a master class level and above course; regardless of your skill level you will be challenged.

• Class equipment requirements are the same as Pistol I & II.
• Ammo requirement is 1000 rounds.
• No waivers from any other instructors granted.
• Pistol I & II are prerequisites for participation in Pistol III.

1911 operator – 2 days - 1 day of range drills using a 1911 pistol. Drills are specifically designed and tailored to highlight key features of using a 1911 pistol. The 2nd day begins with a detailed disassembly and assembly, along with an operator level troubleshooting class to allow the end user to recognize problems that may develop. I also generally do some on-the-spot gunsmithing on students' guns. The day wraps up with some range fire to highlight test fire procedures. This class has been very positively received. Max class size is 16.

1911 armorer – 3 days -  This class takes things to the next level beyond the operators class in terms of troubleshooting , identifying, and fixing problems that may develop with your 1911. Fit and function and replacement/tuning of various parts are discussed. Some aspects include safeties, triggers, hammers and sears , mag catches, check and correct barrel fit, complete reliability work, extractors, ejectors, sights, etc. . An individual will be able to completely maintain and do limited custom work on a 1911 pistol after this class. In addition zeroing and test fire procedures are discussed. No 1911-specific range fire beyond zeroing and test fire is planned into the schedule, but an extra day can be added to do so if the class desires. Max class size is 12. In addition, a specific tool and part list (student supplied) is required for this course

1911 gunsmithing; – 6 days - This picks up where the armorers course leaves off and allows the student to build a complete custom 1911 from a box of oversize gunsmith fit parts. This includes complete details of fitting an oversize match barrel, slide to frame fit, fitting and blending thumb and grip safeties, trigger job, and complete blending of all components for a custom pistol. In addition, metal checkering is discussed and practiced on a limited scale. Recommended parts and sources are also covered. This is the complete package and is a great start for anyone wanting to get into building custom 1911′s. Students of this course have had very positive comments thus far. Max class size is 7 and a specific tool and part list (student supplied) is required for this course.

All courses listed are 2 day courses unless otherwise noted.

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VICKERS TACTICAL AK COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
(Please note that that exact course content can and will vary depending on the skill level of the participants in the class.)

Vickers Tactical AK class: Topics covered include safety, stance, zeroing for iron sights and optics, sight alignment and trigger control. Familiarization with their carbine includes field stripping and maintenance. Other subject matter that is covered includes reloads, presentation, shooting positions, introduction to different skill drills including dry fire and bullseye shooting, malfunction drills, shooting on the move, and transitions. Timed fire drills and evaluations are based on class skill level. There is instruction on the development of the AK and variations, as well as suggested modifications.

• Must shoot an AK or AK variant (Galil, Valmet, VZ 58 style rifles, etc.)
• Price: TBD
• Serviceable handgun (For transition training) of at least 9mm
• Ammo: 800 rifle, 150 pistol

Gear requirements:
(1.) Eye & Ear protection (electronic hearing protection is strongly recommended)
(2.) Minimum four (4) high capacity AK mags
(3.) Minimum two (2) handgun mags
(4.) Chest pouch to hold 3-4 AK mags would be preferred
(5.) Handgun mag pouch – Ability to carry a spare pistol mag on body.
(6.) Serviceable AK sling- suitable for a variety of shooting positions – tactical type preferred
(7.) Suitable range wear depending on the season
(8.) Confirm rifle zero at at least 50 yards

There are no pre-requisites for this course.

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Training Class FAQs

• What classes do you teach?

I specialize in combat pistol, combat carbine, battle rifle, Close Quarters Battle, and 1911 specific courses. My AK classes fall under the carbine category. I do offer specialized courses to LE and military that are not listed here. Contact me direct for specific info on those.

• Do you teach the classes yourself ?

Yes. I only use specially selected assistant instructors in large military classes and specific locations. I do occasionally teach with my good friend and mentor, Ken Hackathorn, and in those situations we are dual lead instructors.

• Do you offer a Mil/LE discount ?

No. I do so much business with Gov/Mil students that the prices have been standardized across the board to military levels.

• How many rounds do you fire in your classes?

The actual amount can vary depending on many factors but a good rule of thumb is 400 rounds per day. My experience has taught me this allows for a slight buffer without a shooter buying a lot of excess ammo. In carbine/pistol combo classes, this number is 200 rounds per caliber, per gun, per day. These numbers are the minimum amount of ammo needed to complete the course.

• How many students are in a class?

Generally 10 to 16 is the typical class size. Depending on the circumstances, it may be less or a little more, but I try and max out at 16. Any more and the amount of individual attention for each shooter suffers.

• What is your training philosophy?

I am very accuracy oriented. You will be held accountable for every round you fire with importance placed on an accurate shot every time you pull the trigger; just like in the real world. As my students can attest, 400 rounds of concentration on each shot is mentally fatiguing. My goal is to give you drills, skills and feedback to allow you to become a better shooter. My methods are proven, sound, and --if properly applied-- guaranteed to succeed. Speed is also a factor in my training, but is used in conjunction with accuracy, not as a substitute for it. There may be others who teach differently than I do, that believe their approach is better -– so be it. I am not in competition with any other instructors as I have developed a training approach that has been proven successful at the very highest level. There is no guesswork in what I teach.

• Why do class prices vary at times?

Their can be many factors for this but the number one reason is travel costs. A two day class that is a 3 hour drive from my home will almost certainly be cheaper than the same class on the West Coast. However, prices usually never differ by more than $50 .

• How do I host a class?

Contact me directly for specifics about hosting. It is a very simple process and I can help walk first time hosts though the procedure. I also have different payment procedures depending on the preferences of the host or agency/unit sponsoring the class.

• What are the individual requirements for a class?

Please check the training page for class equipment specifics, but the baseline is safe weapons handling habits and a good attitude. In basic level classes, a refined skill set is not required -– and in some cases it is a drawback as many times a shooter will have bad habits to unlearn.

• What about firearms safety?

A safety brief is conducted at the beginning of each class and muzzle awareness and trigger finger safety is strictly monitored at all times. Safe firearms handling without excessive and unnecessary safety rules is a must in today’s world to be truly effective with a fighting firearm. This is the approach I have taken with very good results. I reserve the right to dismiss any student not displaying correct firearms handling. This usually means one warning before dismissal, but not in all cases. The bottom line is show up switched on, knowing the status of your weapon, where it is pointed, and ready to learn. You do this and you will be good to go.

• What kind of atmosphere is the class environment?

Anyone who has been in my class knows I like to have a good time. In fact, many of my quips and one liners are now legendary. However, I always expect and display professional firearms handling –- I take my job extremely seriously. We can joke and have a good time, but when it comes to employing a given weapons system, I am deadly serious. Therefore, I do not plink and play with my weapon and that behavior won’t be tolerated in my class.

• Are private classes available?

Yes. Please contact me direct for specifics.