Course: ITTS Defensive Handgun II
Dates: July 17-18, 2010
Location: Angeles Shooting Range

The purpose of this AAR is to share my personal experience of taking the two day Defensive Handgun II course offered through ITTS. I will provide an overview of topics covered in the two days of training and personal impressions and experience(s).

Day 1
Day one began with an introduction of class members and instructors.

We started with a short lecture and talked extensively about gun fights and the correct mindset to have when involved in them. In fact throughout the day Uncle Scott and Uncle Mark would constantly bring up examples and try to get us to think about things in the correct way. They worked to polish our pistol skills and our minds.

Topics covered in day one:
- Handgun I skills that were polished even further
o Grip
o Sight Picture
o Trigger Pull
o Follow Through
o Presentation
- Speed reloading
- Multiple target engagements
- Man on Man competitions
- Mindset
- Problem Solving

The day was a scorcher and I think it got up to 105. Because of the temperature we took frequent breaks and while we were rehydrating Scott or Mark talked to us about the mental aspect of gun fights. I recommend anyone taking a course during the summer to bring a shemogh/scarf or something to keep wet and around your neck. Also remember to hydrate frequently instead of gulping down 1/2 a gallon of water every hour as your body can only process so much water at a time.

Day 2

Day two began like day one and we started with a lecture and we again focused on the fundamental mechanics. At this point I started to notice that the constant emphasis on proper mechanics was starting to really show. Everyone in class was doing much better and when Uncle Scott asked us to pick up the pace we were all able to do so. We also went out and took shots at the 135 yard steel target to emphasize how adhering the mechanics will get you through tough problems.

I also feel I am starting to understand the direction Uncle Scott wants to take us mentally. Given the fact that they spent 16 hours total trying to train our minds to think in the correct manner I find it too difficult to articulate in a couple of sentences. It’s really something one needs to experience firsthand.

As the light started to fade we went into low light shooting techniques and drills to give you some insight.

Topics covered:
- How your eyes work at night
- How the environment can work against you
- Distances at night
- Flashlights
- Backlighting
- Tritium Sights
- Use of flash lights merits/pitfalls
o FBI Technique
o Chapman/Surefire/Rogers
o Harries technique
o Indexing
- Manipulation of flashlight
- One hand shooting

Then we hit the range and went through each of the techniques first on paper then we jumped to reactive steel targets and man on man competitions using certain techniques and then the technique of your choice.

One thing I am fairly happy about is now I know what it is like to shoot at night and I also have been shown what does and doesn’t work by someone that has actually been in several gun fights in low light. If you are like me and have had an interest in any “low light technique” threads you should really take this course. It will dispel any myths once and for all!

I will be looking forward to taking the next level handgun course provided by ITTS.