I recently took the Sig Academy's "Defensive Rifle" course at their HQ in Epping, NH, and wanted to post a review as an update to the one posted by Andy T in 2009.
I will first review the course itself, split into day 2 and day 1; then do a third post for gear stuff. I will likely mis-remember the sequence of some of the drills/content, but hopefully I will cover all the main topics and pertinent points.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Sig Sauer Academy
"Defensive Rifle" - Intermediate Level Course
2 - Day (weekend) class; 08:30 to 17:00 (approximately)
Cost $400 (20% less if you signed up within 20 days of another Sig Academy course)
The week before the course our instructor Ken Allen e-mailed us twice with extra info and tips such as the weather forecast, suggestions for a 2-point sling, and approximate ammo counts. The academy website states 900 rounds rifle and 150 rounds pistol, but Ken suggested that we may shoot closer to 1300 rounds rifle and 300 rounds pistol. This is definately a step up from what Andy T reported in 2009 (500 rounds rifle, 100 rounds pistol).
Saturday morning we met as instructed at 08:20 in front of the Pro-shop, to avoid any confusion or people getting lost, as it was as very busy day at the academy (multiple classes plus a NRA law enforcement competition). The class consisted of 10 guys (1 no show, no gals); everybody was from the Northeast, more on the class members and their various training/gear in the second post.
Ken gave us directions to the classroom (#5, a heated/powered trailer near the rifle ranges), then went with those that needed to rent equipment/weapons (free of charge) and he also brought along ammo if requested (this was tracked and paid for at the end of the course). The day started out cold so I did some quick PT on the pull-up bars and dip stations near the classroom, then waited for Ken and the other students to drive down.
After everyone was settled in the trailer, we started with a brief overview of the days events: ~1 hr of intro in the classroom, dry-fire drills, live-fire drills, zeroing, then more live-fire drills. Ken also introduced himself: He is a Federal Forestry Service Agent specializing in search and rescue and frequently conducts solo patrols over large outdoor areas; conducts training privately as well as a member of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors; and a gun/shooting enthusiast. Ken was very approachable, friendly, and quick to acknowledge the limits of his own training and expertise.
For the classroom portion (after basic safety stuff, waivers, etc.) we started with ballistics 101 using 5.56/.223 data: sight offset (assuming a 2.5" above bore sight) at different distances (5/10/25/35/50/100/200yds), penetration of pistol/shotgun versus .223 in commonly found home contruction materials, and terminal energy at different distances. We would be doing a 50yd zero, which would correspond with an approximate 230-250yd zero, which Ken felt was a reasonable cut-off "effective-range" for the defensive carbine. He explained most carbine calibers including 5.56/.223 and 7.62x39 could hit at greater distances but multiple hits become increasingly necessary as bullet velocity decreased and shot placement became less precise especially without a magnified sight. We also went briefly over point vs precision shooting.
Then we hit the 100m rifle range. We kitted up but started with rifle mags loaded with 6 bullets each only. Everybody started out slung up using a straight North to South "safe" position. We practiced basic static standing unsupported dominant side shouldering and firing of the rifle dry, then 3 rounds center of mass while "walking-back" to 50 yds (3 rounds static @ 5,10,25, etc.). During the walk back we practiced emergency and tactical reloads, and the kneeling supported and unsupported positions. At the 50 yard line Ken demonstrated shooting from the prone position, which we all then used to zero our optics. This is one portion of the course that I felt could have benefited from an assistant instructor to speed up the pace a bit. We then moved back to the 5 yard line and re-drilled sight offset. At this point we took a 1 hr break for lunch (12:30-13:30)
After returning from lunch, we loaded all magazine to capacity, then practiced one handed transitions to the pistol, with the support hand guiding the rifle to a safe position. We drilled at the 5 yd line, then did the walk back drill to 100 yds using whatever position we needed to achieve head shots (4"x4" square), with increased round count, mixed in some "failure drills" (2 to the chest, 1 to the head), and transitioning to the pistol if at an appropriate range (for our class' skill level this was under 25 yards) Once we got to the 100 yard line we reversed the "walk-back" drill, but shot steel as we advanced to the 25 yard line for better immediate feedback. A few of us got caught switching to pistols from too great a distance, and not performing tactical reloads when needed. Ken had a sharp eye and was able to refocus us on the objective of the drill (to effectively engage our targets at whatever distance we were at, not just throw away lead downrange).
At this point we finished off our day by unloading and making our firearms "safe". Shooting ended around 17:00, I actually drove off Sig Sauer Academy property around 17:30
I will first review the course itself, split into day 2 and day 1; then do a third post for gear stuff. I will likely mis-remember the sequence of some of the drills/content, but hopefully I will cover all the main topics and pertinent points.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Sig Sauer Academy
"Defensive Rifle" - Intermediate Level Course
2 - Day (weekend) class; 08:30 to 17:00 (approximately)
Cost $400 (20% less if you signed up within 20 days of another Sig Academy course)
The week before the course our instructor Ken Allen e-mailed us twice with extra info and tips such as the weather forecast, suggestions for a 2-point sling, and approximate ammo counts. The academy website states 900 rounds rifle and 150 rounds pistol, but Ken suggested that we may shoot closer to 1300 rounds rifle and 300 rounds pistol. This is definately a step up from what Andy T reported in 2009 (500 rounds rifle, 100 rounds pistol).
Saturday morning we met as instructed at 08:20 in front of the Pro-shop, to avoid any confusion or people getting lost, as it was as very busy day at the academy (multiple classes plus a NRA law enforcement competition). The class consisted of 10 guys (1 no show, no gals); everybody was from the Northeast, more on the class members and their various training/gear in the second post.
Ken gave us directions to the classroom (#5, a heated/powered trailer near the rifle ranges), then went with those that needed to rent equipment/weapons (free of charge) and he also brought along ammo if requested (this was tracked and paid for at the end of the course). The day started out cold so I did some quick PT on the pull-up bars and dip stations near the classroom, then waited for Ken and the other students to drive down.
After everyone was settled in the trailer, we started with a brief overview of the days events: ~1 hr of intro in the classroom, dry-fire drills, live-fire drills, zeroing, then more live-fire drills. Ken also introduced himself: He is a Federal Forestry Service Agent specializing in search and rescue and frequently conducts solo patrols over large outdoor areas; conducts training privately as well as a member of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors; and a gun/shooting enthusiast. Ken was very approachable, friendly, and quick to acknowledge the limits of his own training and expertise.
For the classroom portion (after basic safety stuff, waivers, etc.) we started with ballistics 101 using 5.56/.223 data: sight offset (assuming a 2.5" above bore sight) at different distances (5/10/25/35/50/100/200yds), penetration of pistol/shotgun versus .223 in commonly found home contruction materials, and terminal energy at different distances. We would be doing a 50yd zero, which would correspond with an approximate 230-250yd zero, which Ken felt was a reasonable cut-off "effective-range" for the defensive carbine. He explained most carbine calibers including 5.56/.223 and 7.62x39 could hit at greater distances but multiple hits become increasingly necessary as bullet velocity decreased and shot placement became less precise especially without a magnified sight. We also went briefly over point vs precision shooting.
Then we hit the 100m rifle range. We kitted up but started with rifle mags loaded with 6 bullets each only. Everybody started out slung up using a straight North to South "safe" position. We practiced basic static standing unsupported dominant side shouldering and firing of the rifle dry, then 3 rounds center of mass while "walking-back" to 50 yds (3 rounds static @ 5,10,25, etc.). During the walk back we practiced emergency and tactical reloads, and the kneeling supported and unsupported positions. At the 50 yard line Ken demonstrated shooting from the prone position, which we all then used to zero our optics. This is one portion of the course that I felt could have benefited from an assistant instructor to speed up the pace a bit. We then moved back to the 5 yard line and re-drilled sight offset. At this point we took a 1 hr break for lunch (12:30-13:30)
After returning from lunch, we loaded all magazine to capacity, then practiced one handed transitions to the pistol, with the support hand guiding the rifle to a safe position. We drilled at the 5 yd line, then did the walk back drill to 100 yds using whatever position we needed to achieve head shots (4"x4" square), with increased round count, mixed in some "failure drills" (2 to the chest, 1 to the head), and transitioning to the pistol if at an appropriate range (for our class' skill level this was under 25 yards) Once we got to the 100 yard line we reversed the "walk-back" drill, but shot steel as we advanced to the 25 yard line for better immediate feedback. A few of us got caught switching to pistols from too great a distance, and not performing tactical reloads when needed. Ken had a sharp eye and was able to refocus us on the objective of the drill (to effectively engage our targets at whatever distance we were at, not just throw away lead downrange).
At this point we finished off our day by unloading and making our firearms "safe". Shooting ended around 17:00, I actually drove off Sig Sauer Academy property around 17:30