I’ll be glad to have you in my handgun self-defense class on Saturday, February 13, 2010. This note provides info about location, schedule, gear, and your preparation.
I’ll begin instruction at 10:29am.
The complete course will be conducted at Fletcher Arms, 1441A E. Main Street, Waukesha, WI 53186, (262) 549-4488. Directions from I-94 and I-43 are below. GPS coordinates are included.
Please arrive between about 30 minutes early to receive class materials, and get settled in. If you need to reach me near class time that morning, my cell phone number is (608) 239-7474. Barring student equipment problems, I expect we’ll finish live-fire drills and your Utah carry permit training certifications by 7:45pm.
Please bring along a picture ID of some sort so we have identification for notarizing you documents.
Please don’t bring firearms and live ammunition into the classroom. Secure them in your vehicle or elsewhere until we visit the range.
As for gear, bring a handgun, at least 50 rounds of ammunition, and at least two serviceable magazines or a speedloader, if you have them. Holsters and mag pouches are not required for Handgun1. You may rent a handgun from Fletcher Arms. Rate is about $8.00 per hour and they require use of their ammunition. My recommendation for defensive handguns for this course are double-action revolver, .38 Special or larger caliber, or semi-automatic, double-action, 9MM or larger caliber. Fletcher Arms has either.
PLEASE be certain your firearm has recently been cleaned and is in safe working order. It likely ran just fine on your last visit to the range, but might decide to baulk on training day and cause you to return on another date to complete your live-fire qualification. You’re welcome to bring a second gun (and applicable ammo) if you’re concerned about reliability of your primary firearm. I’ll be grateful if you take some time before class to get re-acquainted with your gun. Practice clearing, loading, unloading, racking slides, releasing magazines, and using decocking and safety mechanisms. It wouldn’t hurt to read through your Owner’s Manual for a refresher on functionality.
If available, please bring ear protection, eye protection, and a baseball-type hat. Brimmed headgear will keep hot brass from finding its way between your eyepro and face. Pain may be temporary but makes concentration difficult, a serious safety event during live fire. Fletcher Arms has loaner eye and ear protection as well.
We’ll take periodic breaks to stretch and for a 30-minute lunch around 1:00. I highly recommend you bring a sack lunch to avoid missing part of the afternoon class should you get delayed in a restaurant. You’re quite welcome to bring food and beverages into the classroom. Dress casually and comfortably. Layering is best so you can adjust to varied temperatures in the classroom and range. It’s a long day.