Click on any image to see the full size.

In the video below, Bruce discusses his Bianchi Cup experience with Down Range TV’s Michael Bane after the match, and Michael discussed Bruce during his podcast posted May 31.

P.S. Yes, they did spell Bruce’s name incorrectly in the results…

Thanks to SigForum contributor Tubetone for the review and pictures! There is a full gallery at the bottom of the post, and you can click on any image to see a larger size.

As posted on SigForum by Tubetone…
I am writing this review to describe my experience with Grayguns’ Practical Fundamentals class on November 6-7, 2010 at the Safety First Shooting Association in central California. This is my subjective experience and one person’s view of the event. If I misstate any concept here, the failure is my own.

I am relating my view of what happened to me and the great value I found in this excursion. This review may have more detail and pictures than normal but I hope you find it useful. I am sure each student of past classes may have a different take but this is mine.

Who Were The Instructors
We suffered an embarrassment of riches regarding instructors. We only had nine students but 5 instructors/adjuncts. The personal attention and interaction was simply phenomenal. It was like a Grayguns (GGI) convention. Bruce Gray, Jerry Jones, Randy Lee, Tang, and Roy Nelson were all working the line. Each of them had unique but engaging personalities. They worked extremely well as a team.

I did spend some extra time with Tang on day one because we had been discussing the “Soft Eyes” concept via email for many months. As much as email is nice, there’s just nothing like being there in person. Each instructor added many things to me via personal coaching on the line, during instruction and during breaks. Each student received repeated personal attention from each instructor. I suspect our lunches and dinners together added to the easy learning environment.

We learned about many issues like grip, stance, reloading, the draw, sight picture, sight alignment, and safety but the thrust of the class was TRIGGER CONTROL as GGI defines and teaches it. I have had approximately 22 other instructors this year and GGI taught differently and showed each of us how to refine so many parts of the fundamentals as we worked through the exercises. I heard more detail and nuance about every fundamental except my stance (Odds are I had to have something that was O.K.).

What I Wanted And Expected
I knew I wanted to take one of Bruce Gray’s classes from the first time we spoke. After I sent Bruce an email about a year ago, Bruce surprisingly called me on the phone and we spoke about shooting for nearly an hour and a half. I had never met any of the other GGI staff but was delighted to finally meet them and experience their inviting personalities as well.

As far as GGI’s Practical Fundamentals class, I was specifically seeking something to help me improve speed and accuracy. I wanted demonstrations and also hoped for some personal understanding and use of the concept of “Soft Eyes.” I expected high level instruction and some personal improvement and was not disappointed.

What I Got
I received detailed instruction on trigger control, defining what is prep, why one needs to prep, when to reset and how to prep the trigger. I learned drills for future practice and improvement along with a strategy for instant self correction. I did actually have some glimpses of “Soft Eyes” during class so I finally have experienced and recognized it. I also experienced what it is to have trigger control in some rudimentary ways, leading me to moments of improved strings and results on which I can build.

I was not the only one. In fact, at the very end of the last exercise, each and every student in the class shot and split a playing card edgewise from 6 yards. When I say everyone, I mean each member of the class whether competition level or a person taking their first-ever pistol class. I do not know of any class that produces such a uniform result for all levels of shooters – especially since this was a trigger control, not a card splitting, class.

How We Got There
We shot about 200 rounds the first day with lots of instruction, demonstration and slow practice to learn and reinforce the fundamental concepts taught. The instruction provided more detailed and deeper explanations with personal interaction that was simply invaluable. We shot about 690 rounds on the second day as the pace and rate of fire increased. We were paced through a logical series of deliberate skill building and concept reinforcing exercises.

From my point of view, the “dare to fail” approach was necessary to try things in different ways. It was hard to trade some things that worked for new ways but the instructors invited us to “buy into” other paths that had much more growth potential. My DA shooting (normally something I like) stunk up the place as I struggled with a new way but, again, I can see the value in what I’m going to try to change. By the way, I have only one thing to say about the Humiliation Drill: YUP.

Memorable Content
Equipment: In terms of pistol evaluation, Jerry Jones tried out my P226 so I could see the splits possible with it. He shot 7 round splits of between .17 and .18 seconds. In his hands, I saw that my P226 could churn out shells like a flowing waterfall of brass arching out of the ejection port. I also learned a lot from Bruce showing me how he could get 9 levels of nuance from my shortened single action. Prior to class, I felt two nuances and now I’m up to 5. I also had three instructors suggest that I try a smaller grip because of hand fit.

Thought Process: In terms of thought process, my focus has shifted from the sights, target, others, and results to TRIGGER PREP. It’s easy to say but their personal feedback helped me identify and change my thoughts. They taught me how to return to being surprised by the shot instead of willfully making it. I’m not sure if it’s a process of uncluttering thoughts or cluttering them with the right thing.

Skills: Trigger Control is taught and explained in increments while discussing issues like slap, reset, recoil and getting the sights & prep to meet one another at speed. Prepping the trigger increased both speed and accuracy for me on the occasions when it all came together. I have now done it so I know what it is and know how to practice to get it to happen more often with GGI’s drills. Instruction: The teaching style was careful and detailed. The issues were not glossed or ignored in favor of ADD drills. I learned useful drills and concepts for future growth. The fact that instructors were willing and able to demonstrate the skills taught added not just to credibility but seeing things at speed in application. Overall, there was a constructive spirit for group and personal instruction.

What Was Not As Apparently Useful – (At This Point)
At this point, I still feel as though the second day burned a lot of ammo where things happened so fast that I reverted to old habits just to keep up. I fought the old habits but maybe that was the point.

What I Would Have Liked To See More Of
There are a few things I could have stood to see more of. For instance, I would have accepted more explanations and dry firing to develop more nuances of the concepts. I would have liked more explanation of what one needs to do to move from 7 to 25 yard shots. I would have liked more instruction to achieve the DA shot at the apex of extension from the draw. And, I would have liked more drills and training on the concept of “Soft Eyes.”

Recommendation
My overall evaluation is that this is a fabulous pistol course. The results by each member of our class speak for themselves. No other pistol class I know of delivers a card-cutting level result from each student regardless of each student’s pre-class skill level – all while predominantly studying a separate topic: trigger control. It is as if target accuracy is what naturally follows those who focus on what GGI teaches as TRIGGER CONTROL.

It helped that each student and instructor left their egos somewhere far from the range. GGI created a supportive learning environment for experienced and new shooters alike. There is more than enough challenge and something to learn for each level of shooter.

A Note About The Pictures
Many more photos were taken but these were selected for this review to try to convey a sense of the action on the “slow” day while showing how the students and instructors engaged in the Practical Fundamentals process.

Final Note
I overheard students at varying levels say that they would like to take this exact class again because the material covers many levels at the same time. Many of the students seemed to think that the day of few rounds, detailed explanations and focused drills was the part worth repeating over and over again. It seems to me that if I had mastered my current level, the next level was presented, explained and challenged in this same class.

I, and I suspect others, only did the drills at or just above our/their own level during live fire. Seeing Bruce, Jerry, Randy and Roy demonstrate their higher level was inspiring and shows the continuum of growth that is possible. Even the instructors are not at the same level but they appear to be on the same path. As shown by the instructors and the class, GGI’s approach to Practical Fundamentals can deliver increased speed and accuracy as one progresses through deeper application of GGI’s definition of trigger control . . . . . or so this all seems to me.

Scroll down towards the bottom of this page to start reading the reviews, but this one from Mrs. Horse really stood out. Thank you!

Posted by Mrs. Horse on October 17, 2010 at 11:49 a.m.

I just returned from the Grayguns Practical Fundamentals class in Orlando this past weekend.

First, I would like to thank Bruce, Jerry, and Scott for such a successful and fun class! They are truly world class instructors and I strongly urge anyone who is interested to take the leap and sign up for the next class in your area. They are a great group who will improve your shooting no matter what level you come to the class.

Over the course of the three days, everyone showed great improvement and walked away with drills and lessons to build on our skills into the future. All of the instructors made us feel comfortable and showed that they wanted each of us to improve and do well with a significant amount of one on one time.

Each morning began with a safety briefing. Safety was taken VERY seriously and each one of us learned methods of safe gun handling no matter what the level of experience.

Throughout the entire class, Bruce stressed zen-like focus and concentration. As a kid, I was a competitive swimmer for ten years, competing at the national level in the Junior Olympics. I can definitely understand focus as many of us who have attained a certain level in their profession or other endeavors.

As a kid, it was drilled into me that sloppy practice doesn’t help; instead, perfect practice makes perfect. Bruce has changed this maxim a little: excellent practice makes excellent, since there is only one person who was ever perfect and he was a carpenter, not a shooter.

During the first and second days, much emphasis was placed on different dry firing drills – each one teaching a different skill, including proper stance, emergency and tactical reloading, draw from the holster, etc. It was during the bump drills that many of us experienced an AHA! moment. Many of the dry fire drills build on the skills of prepping the trigger at a level you will not find in any other class, anywhere!

On the third day, the entire class had way too much fun! During nearly most of the class (0900 – 1700) was live fire on the range. This is when we were able to tie together all of the skills we had learned in the previous two days. We had the opportunity to practice shooting from the holster and while moving – definitely something you cannot typically practice at your local range!

The class ended with everyone having a chance to shoot to split a playing card standing on its side. I managed to do this on the second shot – something I could not have done before the class!

The whole experience was awesome from beginning to end. I cannot speak highly enough of Bruce and his crew. They were excellent instructors and each of them are also terrific people. I’m really glad I didn’t miss this.

The Grayguns team is glad you didn’t miss this opportunity too! Here are some photos from the weekend, and you can click here to check out the full-size gallery.

This unique program will focus on taking the shooter to their maximum ability through repetition. Provides instruction to develop the ability to draw and hit discrete targets at human reaction speed. Exposes the shooter to the psychology required to draw and make discrete hits and human reaction speed. This is an intensive training course and shooters should come prepared to learn, both mentally and physically.

Class size will be restricted to 12 qualified applicants. It is imperative that past training experience be included when registering. As with all of our courses, safety is paramount. However, the nature of the course further elevates the need for everyone on the line to be able to participate and perform safely, period.

If you are wondering if you are qualified, a good rule of thumb is the ability to safely draw a pistol and hit a man sized target, at 7 yards, in the neighborhood of 1.5 seconds to satisfy the prerequisite. If you have any questions, you can chime in over at the announcement thread at SigForum or contact us through the OpSpec Training website.

After you have confirmed you meet the prerequisites, head over to the OpSpec Training website for registration and course payment information.

Course Fees
This two day course is priced at $400. Range fees – paid directly to Carolina West Shooting Club – will be $15 per day.

Location
Carolina West Shooting Club, 658 Rutherford Dr., Nebo, N.C.

Accommodations

• Inn at Glen Alpine 7 miles
• Fairway Oaks B&B 7 miles
• The Inn at Blue Ridge 27 miles
• Additional Accommodations 10-12 miles

Ammunition, Attire and Equipment

• Ammunition: 1,500 rounds for both days days. You’ll be shooting!
• Hydration: Camelback or equivalent
• What to bring to a GGI Pistol Course

More about the Area

Carolina West Shooting Club is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Just up the road in Pisgah National Forest are the spectacular Linville Falls and Table Rock Mountain. The Linville and Catawba rivers meander through valleys to the headwaters of glistening 6,500 acre Lake James where visitors can camp, fish, sail, swim, and water ski in Lake James State Park.

Although we are easily accessible from I-40, many travel via the spectacularly scenic “million dollar” Blue Ridge Parkway, where along the way you can hike to the top of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak (6,488 ft.) east of the Mississippi.

Asheville is 40 minutes west with many fabulous restaurants and shopping, or just take a tour of the Biltmore Estate, the largest private home in America.

If golf is your game, after an invigorating round, rest and relax at one of our golf course Bed & Breakfast inns shown below.

Wondering if the Practical Fundamentals class is for you? Check out this post and join the class discussion going on at SIGForum. The class will be held February 18-20, with Bruce Gray and Jerry Jones scheduled to attend as instructors.

Details about the Practical Fundamentals program – including prerequisites and expectations can be found on the OpSpec Training website.

Located near the historic Brock’s Gap Railway Cut (at one time the world’s deepest railway cut), BGTC is situated on 115 acres of mature hardwood forest with abundant wildlife and wetlands. Shooting is open 365 day a year with ranges from seven yards to 700 yards.

The cost for the three day event is $600. Range fees will be $20 per day, payable the first day of training directly to Brock’s Gap Training Center.

Accommodations are available within five miles of the range at a variety of hotels. These include Hyatt Place, Microtel, and Days Inn, just to name a few. Everything including southern BBQ, five-star steakhouses, wings and traditional fare is within a 10 minute drive. Bringing the other half? The Riverchase Galleria is right down the road offering more than 200 retail stores.

Hoover is 15 minutes south of historic Birmingham. Area attractions include the Southern Museum of Flight, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and two Robert Trent Jones golf courses.

Remember to check out the range’s website for details about the facility, directions and range rules. If you have any questions about the class, contact us via the OpSpec Training website or post your question in the SIGForum thread and we’ll get back to you within a couple of days.