Apex Defense Group "advanced carry handgun" review

Roland!

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This past Saturday I took the “Advanced carry handgun” class from Apex defense group.

Let me start off by saying carrying a concealed weapon is nothing to take lightly. There were times in this class where I questioned my ability to carry a handgun for self-defense. Normally, I think I’m a pretty good shooter but due to the challenges both physically and mentally that Ryan and his staff laid out, things went off the rails more than a few times for me in this class.


Key items to note about this class:

Very scenario driven. (they put you in situations you would encounter in a normal day)
Physically demanding (there were many instances where you might have to drop and go prone, or go to a kneeling position to achieve a better angle of shot.)
Mentally exhausting. (they work your brain and make you think as much as they work your body)
Accuracy is a key element stressed in this class. (every round must be accounted for in real life).


Along the way, I was taught a few tips and tricks on improving my fundamentals and I discovered there are a few things that I REALLY need to work on with dry and live fire at the range.
By the end of the class, I was spent. As much as I like trigger time, I was ready for the class to be over by the end of the day. Bu that’s a good thing! It’s a good indication of not only how hard we worked our bodies but also our minds. And as par for the course with these guys, the most mentally challenging drills seemed to be at the end of the day when you your brain is mush.
I shot right near 700 rounds and I thoroughly enjoyed my time.
As always, Ryan and his staff were great to learn from and very safe and very professional.

I haven’t been to too many other instructors but I can honestly say that you get your money’s worth and much more from Apex Defense Group. I really enjoy being a return customer and I will continue to do so.

Do yourself a favor and check them out. You will most certainly learn a lot about shooting and even something about yourself.
 
This past Saturday I took the “Advanced carry handgun” class from Apex defense group.

Let me start off by saying carrying a concealed weapon is nothing to take lightly. There were times in this class where I questioned my ability to carry a handgun for self-defense. Normally, I think I’m a pretty good shooter but due to the challenges both physically and mentally that Ryan and his staff laid out, things went off the rails more than a few times for me in this class.


Key items to note about this class:

Very scenario driven. (they put you in situations you would encounter in a normal day)
Physically demanding (there were many instances where you might have to drop and go prone, or go to a kneeling position to achieve a better angle of shot.)
Mentally exhausting. (they work your brain and make you think as much as they work your body)
Accuracy is a key element stressed in this class. (every round must be accounted for in real life).


Along the way, I was taught a few tips and tricks on improving my fundamentals and I discovered there are a few things that I REALLY need to work on with dry and live fire at the range.
By the end of the class, I was spent. As much as I like trigger time, I was ready for the class to be over by the end of the day. Bu that’s a good thing! It’s a good indication of not only how hard we worked our bodies but also our minds. And as par for the course with these guys, the most mentally challenging drills seemed to be at the end of the day when you your brain is mush.
I shot right near 700 rounds and I thoroughly enjoyed my time.
As always, Ryan and his staff were great to learn from and very safe and very professional.

I haven’t been to too many other instructors but I can honestly say that you get your money’s worth and much more from Apex Defense Group. I really enjoy being a return customer and I will continue to do so.

Do yourself a favor and check them out. You will most certainly learn a lot about shooting and even something about yourself.
Thanks for the kind words. It was great having you back out. You did an amazing job and are a phenomenal shooter! I look forward to training with you again!
 
I keep telling him to make the classes shorter but he wont listen! Something about getting their money's worth blah blah blah. My brain can only absorb so much, maybe i am just really hard headed, but some things take several classes to sink in. I am just now getting halfway descent at rifle and luckily there is a rifle class this weekend.
 
I keep telling him to make the classes shorter but he wont listen! Something about getting their money's worth blah blah blah. My brain can only absorb so much, maybe i am just really hard headed, but some things take several classes to sink in. I am just now getting halfway descent at rifle and luckily there is a rifle class this weekend.
To me, that's a good class. Training and taking classes will take time, and multiple visits to really absorb the info. If you got it all in one class, then you wouldn't be taught much at all (no knock on your ability). I've taken a bunch of training classes, and have repeated the same class multiple times, and always got something new from each time taken. Also, people absorb and process info differently, so some will get it quickly, some won't. Also makes a huge difference in experience level. So, don't beat yourself up over not being able to absorb so much, to me, it's kinda designed that way for a reason.
Looks like I need to look into some classes of theirs, sounds like a good time.
Shane.

Sent from my LM-Q710.FG using Tapatalk
 
Well my post was a bit tongue in cheek! You cannot possibly absorb everything in one sitting at an Apex class. Maybe if you were already a Delta-Seal-Ninja-Operator it will all be old hat and you would smoke the class. But having attended 25+ classes i haven't seen anyone come in and smoke the class. Not even me :)
 
To me, that's a good class. Training and taking classes will take time, and multiple visits to really absorb the info. If you got it all in one class, then you wouldn't be taught much at all (no knock on your ability). I've taken a bunch of training classes, and have repeated the same class multiple times, and always got something new from each time taken. Also, people absorb and process info differently, so some will get it quickly, some won't. Also makes a huge difference in experience level. So, don't beat yourself up over not being able to absorb so much, to me, it's kinda designed that way for a reason.
Looks like I need to look into some classes of theirs, sounds like a good time.
Shane.

Sent from my LM-Q710.FG using Tapatalk

You nailed it. If the instructor cares for his/her students, they will push them in new ways and always strive to develop them more comprehensively. We design our classes to push yourself with your shooting fundamentals, but also your tactics, defensive mindset, and more. It should change the way you view things, and give you new insight, as well as marksmanship. We offer a "pack member" discount of $50 off your classes once you have taken 3 or more, and 50% off each class you retake (as we know its a brain dump). It kills our profit margin sometimes, but its not about getting rich, its about spreading knowledge.
 
My review of this class that I took today. Mine included a “force on force” part which was awesome except for me getting shot in the neck & shoulder. :eek:
But it was important because you need to practice reacting to someone doing something and not being certain you need to draw, or what...

Hint: if they say “force on force” in the class description, wear Kevlar riot suits. :confused:

But it was awesome & I had fun. I just hated it had to end. Be sure to pack sunscreen, extra magazines & don’t be one of those people who thinks you don’t have to carry with a round chambered. :rolleyes:
 
My review of this class that I took today. Mine included a “force on force” part which was awesome except for me getting shot in the neck & shoulder. :eek:
But it was important because you need to practice reacting to someone doing something and not being certain you need to draw, or what...

Hint: if they say “force on force” in the class description, wear Kevlar riot suits. :confused:

But it was awesome & I had fun. I just hated it had to end. Be sure to pack sunscreen, extra magazines & don’t be one of those people who thinks you don’t have to carry with a round chambered. :rolleyes:
I agree. It's always great to see the guys who do not carry with a round in the chamber react to stress and scenarios. How many times did the gun get presented and went click. Under stress, funny how they forget things like racking the slide they think they will remember. At an indoor range with no stress it sounds easy. But, hey, that's why there is training classes. He learned. I'm glad everyone came out. I think the scenarios we choose are invaluable and eye opening. It's funny how people think they are prepared and ready until they enter these scenarios and they see how they actually react, even in a controlled and staged training scenario.

Yes the training weapons hurt, but it teaches lessons.

Good job today, glad you came out.
 
My review of this class that I took today. Mine included a “force on force” part which was awesome except for me getting shot in the neck & shoulder. :eek:
But it was important because you need to practice reacting to someone doing something and not being certain you need to draw, or what...

Hint: if they say “force on force” in the class description, wear Kevlar riot suits. :confused:

But it was awesome & I had fun. I just hated it had to end. Be sure to pack sunscreen, extra magazines & don’t be one of those people who thinks you don’t have to carry with a round chambered. :rolleyes:

I'm sorry i shot you in the neck. I was aiming for your head as it had the plastic armor. I blame the plastic bb's and trajectory. Next time i do force on force you can bet ill be covered head to toe in something.
 
I'm sorry i shot you in the neck. I was aiming for your head as it had the plastic armor. I blame the plastic bb's and trajectory. Next time i do force on force you can bet ill be covered head to toe in something.
What? You just couldnt be happy shooting posts and clips anymore? Now ya gotta start shooting people? ;)
 
What? You just couldnt be happy shooting posts and clips anymore? Now ya gotta start shooting people? ;)

In my defense, he was "actively shooting" someone else. In the scenario we were walking around and he was given the task of being the target...errr "Active shooter" He pulled his weapon to engage and it wouldn't fire, and fumbled with the gun safety. He got the drop on the other guy, but probably should have shot me first. I sure would have.

V
 
In my defense, he was "actively shooting" someone else. In the scenario we were walking around and he was given the task of being the target...errr "Active shooter" He pulled his weapon to engage and it wouldn't fire, and fumbled with the gun safety. He got the drop on the other guy, but probably should have shot me first. I sure would have.

V
I would have too haha! @Variable is fast. Funny how that happened (fumbling with the safety) which in reality would give the good guy the advantage he needed. I love these scenarios we set up!
 
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