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Welcome to The Target Zone
The Monthly Newsletter of Center Target Sports, Inc.
Peggy, the Staff, and I hope this issue finds you all well. As you read this Peggy and I are just returning from our annual trip to the SHOT show. This is the largest shooting industry show in the world. We have been attending since before we opened the range. We go looking for new products and ideas and to order inventory for the year. We made some great contacts this year and can't wait to bring our new ideas to the range.
Our Thursday evening Bullseye group continues to grow in number of participants and excitement. In support of all that is happening in Bullseye we are offering a FREE clinic on Saturday evening February 9th. Please see the related article for more information.
Hats, Hats, and More Hats. Just a reminder, if you are a CTS member and you have not picked up your FREE ball cap, you need to stop by soon. Every member is entitled to a FREE hat. Family memberships get a hat for each person covered by that membership. Just stop in and ask a staff member for your hat. You will have a choice in color and you will need to sign the roster indicating that you received the hat(s).
In addition to the hats, be on the look out for our new Full-Auto T-Shirts. We will soon be offering an upgraded Full-Auto machine gun shooting experience. The upgrade option will include two color pictures of the shooter with the machine gun and a T-shirt that has a great image of a "Full Auto Fanatic" and the phrase that says "I went Full-Auto at Center Target Sports".
Your CTS Family.
P.S. If your friends aren't receiving this newsletter and you think they'd be interested, let us know at www.centertargetsports.com Just click on "Contact Us". |
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| Countdown to the Five Day Comprehensive Handgun Course
The class is filling fast. If you have been looking for a way to make dramatic improvements in your handgun shooting skills, this is a must take class. As I mentioned in an earlier issue, we did not plan on offering this course until late summer. However, the response to our November class was so positive and so many of you asked that we offer it sooner than later, we are offering it from March 3rd to the 7th.
We limit this course to 10 people so we can be sure each student gets the personal attention required. You will shoot at least 1500 rounds during the 5 days. This class is all about shooting and handgun manipulation. Classroom time is under 6 hours for the entire class which guarantees the student maximum time on the range learning by doing.
The course tuition is $500.00. We are very proud of this price as the big named schools charge in excess of $2000.00 for their 5 day courses. I will put our curriculum and training techniques up against any program anywhere. Remember as is the case with all of our courses, you may repeat this class forever for FREE! If I sound a little passionate about this course, I guess I am. I have worked very hard at developing a curriculum that will be equally challenging to all students regardless of experience or shooting ability. I want everyone in this course to finish the week realizing huge improvements in their shooting skills and in the manipulation of their handguns, regardless of where they started out the week.
If you give the Comprehensive Handgun course a try, you won't be sorry. But don't wait too long to register, I AM SURE THIS WILL BE A SOLD OUT CLASS. |
There's a new Gunsmith in town!
There's a new Gunsmith in town. Many of you know that Shawn Carlock has developed his Custom Rifle business to the point that he stopped doing "gun repairs" and has been concentrating on just "Gun Building" for the last 10-12 months. I have two of
Shawn's custom guns and it is no mystery to me why they are in such demand. Well, Shawn has literally decided to move his shop into his backyard so he can concentrate on his tremendous custom build backlog. We wish him the best of luck.
It is with great pride that we announce the Gunsmith Services of Cam Essary. Cam has been an employee here at CTS for over a year now and he is a certified gunsmith. In fact, he has been doing informal repair work for our customers for some time now. Now it is official, Cam is our "Go To Guy" for gun repair. He can do anything on your gun that does not require heavy machining. He can repair just about anything and he is a fine craftsman.
In addition to general repairs he does great trigger work, metal finishing, stock repair/refinishing and he even makes custom leather holsters. Cam runs his business independent of CTS. We will be happy to accept work for him when he is not here. Ask any staff member for a work order and feel confident that your firearm is in good hands.
On a side note, remember that I am a certified armorer for Sig, Glock, and ColtAR's. I do all armorer work for FREE Labor. You only pay for the parts. |
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Have you seen our Belts?
People often ask why their holsters move around on them when they are trying to draw their firearms. Students often underestimate the importance of a firm (stiff) belt when it comes to holding the system together. In addition to stiffness, the width of the belt as it relates to the belt slot width on the holster is important to limiting the up and down travel of the holster.
I have used the Wilderness Tactical brand of belts for years. When we were looking for a quality belt to add to our retail inventory, the obvious choice was Wilderness Tactical. We have had great success with The Original Instructor Belt™.
The Original Instructor Belt™ features a specially designed carbon steel V-ring buckle coated with non-glare black Roguard, a tough mil spec finish which is highly corrosion-resistant. The belt was originally designed to clip into a secure system while "instructing" others in high places during mountain rescue training, although they can be used for emergency rappelling with proper training. Although not intended to replace a rappelling harness or to absorb a fall, the standard Instructor Belt™ provides peace of mind over the alternative -- no protection at all.
The Original Instructor Belt™ is designed to be a serious piece of rescue/safety equipment that you may have to bet your life on. It offers very good load-bearing features and comfort with inside-the-pants and outside-the-pants holster carry.
Instructor Belts are available in black, Wilderness Coyote, and Wilderness Olive Drab or Classic O.D., 1 1/2" or 1 3/4". They have corrosion resistant blackened buckles, and all the quality you expect from a Wilderness™ product.
If you want the best belt for your carry system, don't overlook the Wilderness Tactical Belts. We always have a selection of Black and Coyote in stock. |
| Monthly Training Tip
A Few Shooting Drills to Improve Your Practice Sessions...
You have heard me say it more than once. "It is time behind the trigger that really counts". But only good practice develops good shooters, Below are a few drills that can be very effective if done correctly. Try them for yourself and your shooting will improve. Don't hesitate to call if you have any questions.
Just a reminder, I am always available to come out and assist when you are on the line. If I am in the office I am always available....just ask for help.
Freestyle Group Shooting
Teaches: accuracy, ideal sight picture, making every shot count.
Put a 1" target dot on a blank sheet of paper and run it out to 25, 50, 75, or 100 ft--whatever distance stretches your ability to put them in the center when taking your best shot. Load ONLY ONE round into the magazine and cylinder, and make the shot as precise as you can, taking all the time you need. After every shot, step out of your shooting position, collect the brass, or do something else to rest. Put a new target out every 10 shots.
Try to call your shots. If you are perfectly focused on the front sight at the moment the shot breaks, you will be able to tell if the shot was high, low, or off to the side. Wherever the sight is when it lifts, that's the direction the shot will go.
Handle the gun exactly as you would for more aggressive shooting--loading the gun with the proper procedure and shooting from your normal stance. Pay attention to how your stance and grip feel to you; slow, careful shooting can show you where unwanted tension is coming from. If you feel tired, take a break.
Dummy Round Drill
Teaches: flinch control and follow through during live fire.
Requires: best with shooting partner, can be done alone.
Principle: If the hammer falls on an empty chamber during slow-fire shooting, your gun shouldn't budge--sights should stay aligned and on target, eye still clearly focused on the front sight. If the gun does dip (or jump), you're anticipating the recoil.
Procedure: Have someone else load a magazine for you, mixing live rounds with snap caps, or for a revolver, leave one or more chambers empty. When you fire the gun, concentrate on keeping the gun steady, sights on target, no matter what happens. When the snap cap comes up you'll be able to check your flinch. If you're doing well, the gun won't budge. If you're not doing well, keep up with the drill until you are. Keep your sights aligned and on target while you release the trigger just enough to reengage the sear (proper follow through).
You can do this yourself by loading several magazines and mixing them up, or loading a magazine with your eyes closed, or rotating the cylinder with your eyes shut before closing it.
Variations: if you have a laser or optical sight, it's even more difficult to keep the dot perfectly on the target when the snap cap comes up, and easier to diagnose the direction your flinch is taking you.
Consecutive Pairs
Teaches: shot-to-shot follow though, visual and kinesthetic awareness.
Shooters moving from slow-fire to rapid-fire often have trouble keeping the gun controlled, or keeping a precise sight picture. This exercise is designed to smooth out your shot-to-shot transitions.
Drill: To isolate the mechanics of follow through, don't set up a target. Instead, fire into the berm. This will prevent you from looking forward past the gun to see your shot placement. As long as the shots will be stopped by the backstop, we don't care where they go. If shooting at an indoor range, set up a target large and close enough that it will catch your fire easily.
Load a full magazine or cylinder, and with a good sight alignment (sights aligned, but not aimed at anything in particular), carefully fire one shot into the berm. Watch the front sight move through the arc of recoil and return to alignment, and fire a quick followup shot. Pay attention to how the gun feels while shooting, and make sure you aren't shifting your grip or lifting your finger off the trigger between shots. You are letting the gun show you how to fire it smoothly, letting it rise and snap back into alignment until it does this all by itself, as if it were spring-loaded. Watch the front sight, and don't worry about hitting a target--you're just learning how to make your shots feel connected and continuous.
If something feels wrong, freeze the gun and look at what you are doing. Look especially at your grip, your trigger finger, and where your visual focus is. Correct it, pay attention to it, and keep shooting.
Repeat this drill for a half hour, and you will have a lot more awareness of how the gun fires and returns to the target. Come back to this drill whenever you find yourself having trouble with follow through mechanics.
Indoor Variation: If you're shooting in a range that limits rapid-fire to a shot per second (Like us at CTS), you can still learn smooth, quick follow through by using a small target. Practice the above drill (with no target) until you are shooting as fast as the range will allow, and then move to aimed pairs on a 3.5 card at 25-40 feet. Keep shooting pairs, watching the front sight, paying attention to follow through, and keep your shots on the card. Verifying the sight picture will probably keep you within the slow-fire limits. |
| Handgun Familiarity vs. Basic Pistol...which one is right for me?
Many of you have asked, which class should I take? There seems to be some confusion when it comes to the differences between Handgun Familiarity (HGF) and Basic Pistol (BP). Let me try and put these classes into some perspective for you.
When I developed HGF my goal was to offer a short 4 hour course that would allow the students to gain insight into the basics of firearm safety, differences between firearm types, functions and an overview of ammunition.
My goal in HGF is to slowly introduce the firearm culture to students with little or no previous experience. We often have students in this course that are actually afraid of firearms but have a curiosity about them. Everyone has an opportunity to shoot a 22 caliber and 9mm handgun. The shooting is typically limited to under twenty rounds with each gun. Shooting is not mandatory and anyone who would rather not shoot will still receive a certificate of completion. This is a great class to take before taking Basic Pistol for those with little or no experience with firearms.
Basic Pistol is the class for those students that want to improve their shooting skills. Students typically have some shooting experience prior to enrolling in this course. Emphasis here is on shooting fundamentals and developing good basic shooting habits/techniques.
Students will shoot and demonstrate proficiency in dominate hand, support hand, and of course two handed shooting. All the drills and exercises in this class emphasize firearm safety and shooting efficiency. Students are encouraged to try a variety of techniques and methods under supervision.
Don't hesitate to ask any of us at CTS for more information or additional guidance in the appropriate course selection to best meet your specific needs. | |
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IDPA Group Continues to Grow More Popular
More and more defensive students are finding their way to the Sunday morning IDPA shooting group. What a fun way to practice the skills that may someday save your life.
If you want practice shooting on the move or target discrimination, this is the program to get involved in. This is a fun group that emphasizes Safety, Fun, Challenge, and a good deal of Socialization.
Give these folks a chance to show you the world of IDPA. You will have a great time and your shooting skills will improve as well.
For a complete list of classes with dates and times, go to:
CTS The Only Place To Try Before You Buy...
Gift
Certificates Available
FREE 1 Hour Class and Range Day with every firearm purchase.
A $55.00 Value
GSSF Match Series Continues
Feb 16
9am - 2pm
Repeat any class completed, forever for FREE!
New GSSF Match begins March 15
CTS, The Only Place To Try Before You Buy...
Gift
Certificates Available
FREE 1 Hour Class and Range Day with every firearm purchase.
A $55.00 Value
Remember Bullseye
Every Thursday Night at 6pm
Thank You
North Idaho, Eastern WA, Western MT
2007 was Awesome!!!!
Thanks to your patronage and a great staff, we experienced the best year ever. Below are just a few of the highlights.
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More guns sold than ever.
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More classes taught than ever.
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More students trained than ever.
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More Police Depts on contract than ever.
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Largest increase in retail sales in our history.
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Recipient of the Mayor's Award for the Community Service Business of the year.
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4 Articles in National Gun Magazines about our facility and programs.
Peggy and I are so appreciative of our staff and our patrons. We promise to continue to strive to do better and look forward to an even better 2008.
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