No matter how often you do it, going to a training class is exciting. Whether it’s your first or 50th, there’s something about getting out there and doing stuff you don’t normally do on your own, in front of a subject matter expert and a bunch of other folks you don’t know. Sometimes, I think the anticipation is the worst part of all!
Getting all of your gear together beforehand is essential to a good experience, for you, the instructor, and all of the other students. You don’t want to be “that” guy that everybody talks about later on. Based on my experiences, I’ve got some ideas on how you can have a great time, and make everyone’s life, including yours, a lot easier.
Start Planning Early
Depending on what kind of training class you’re going to, you need to start planning and getting your gear together at least three to four months in advance. If you’re heading to a shooting class, start getting your ammo together right away. We all vividly remember how the market for ammo went crazy starting around 2020, which made any kind of training difficult. It’s gotten better in many places, but what happens when we have that situation again?
Whatever you do, don’t go cheap on your ammo. Ammunition issues tend to be the number one problem people have in class, and it doesn’t have to be. Test your ammo and gun before you go. Also, no matter what the round count is, bring about 1/3 more than what the curriculum calls for. Many of the ranges you’ll go to are a distance from civilization, and probably won’t have the ammo you need, anyway. A good way to carry it around is in a military-style ammo can. The .50 caliber size one is good for a two-three day class, and you won’t have to fumble around with empty boxes all day, littering up the range.
Bring a Spare Gun
Every class I’ve been to and taught has recommended bringing an extra gun with you, in the event your first one breaks. Yes, even Glocks and AKs can break! Bring a spare, even if you have to borrow one. For my first shotgun class with Louis Awerbuck, I took my Scattergun Technologies Remington 870 12 gauge and borrowed a buddy’s Remington 11-87P, also customized by Scattergun Tech. I didn’t need the 11-87, but was glad I had it. However, I did need my spare 1911 when I went to Lethal Force Institute with Massad Ayoob. The hammer on my primary 1911 .45 started following the slide, and I didn’t want it going full auto during the class, so it went back into my shooting bag, and I used my spare with no further issues.
Speaking of shooting bags, I use two different bags when I go to class as a student. I have a large primary bag that carries all of my gear for the class, ammo, spare parts kit, tools, cleaning stuff, etc. That will stay in the car or at the back of the firing line, and the only time I’ll see it is during a class break. The other is a smaller bag that will hold enough ammo for a morning or afternoon session, plus eye and ear protection. I don’t need to be toting some bag that weighs 30 lbs+ all day; I need to focus on what I’m there to learn.
Breaking your gear down this way makes the day easier. Make sure your gear is easy to find inside your bag. Have it compartmentalized so you can find it without having to dump everything on the firing line. Doing so earns you sideways looks from the other students and an irritated instructor, and you become “that” guy.
More Magazines
I highly recommend bringing several magazines for your firearms. Load them up the night before class starts, and every night you are there before class starts the next day. I’ve had students come to high round count classes with only two magazines for their seven-round compact semi-auto pistol, and then have to stop in the middle of a long drill for them to reload their two magazines. Once again, it draws the ire of the other students and slows down the learning process. Come prepared to shoot and learn.
When you go to a non-firearms training class, such as force-on-force, defensive knife, tactical medical, or unarmed combatives, the list of items to bring becomes a little shorter, but a little more diverse. There are some crossover items with the firearms classes included, as well. The non-firearms classes tend to be much more physical in nature, so having your own personal ‘boo-boo’ kit is important. Along with the trauma bag I normally have on site, I recommend bringing a smaller kit that you can access quickly, so you can take care of the minor injuries and get back to training.
I drive everywhere nowadays. I’m primarily traveling to teach a class, and I take too much stuff to try and get it on an airplane. Plus, I enjoy seeing the country, and driving allows me to keep my gun on me about 90% of the time. I don’t have a bunch of gun logo stuff on my car or truck. I don’t advertise the fact that I have guns and gear in my vehicle. Anything I have gun-wise goes in the trunk or the toolbox, locked up. I know folks like to show off their support of the NRA or their favorite gun company with a bumper sticker or window sticker, but that’s like a flashing neon sign to a criminal. Keep your vehicle clean and non-descript.
Likewise, I try to use non-gun-related baggage when I travel. My fighting rifles have collapsible or folding stocks, and will be packed in something like a tennis racket bag or some other kind of low-key bag. I’ll also keep my range bags in standard luggage bags. Hotels are prime areas for criminal activity, and rolling through the hotel lobby with your Pelican hard rifle case and Dillon Precision shooting bag is just stupid. More than anything, you want to look like just another tourist. So, keep the gun stuff for the range.
Getting your gear ready is rough sometimes, and takes time and effort. But, with a little bit of forethought, traveling to class and home again can be done with a minimal bit of effort. Do some planning, then get to training!
