Let me open this up with a snapshot of my firearms trg experience. I've done CF rifle and pistol trg, last years SMC carbine course, worked with fmr USMC sniper pers, watched the Magpul vids 
etc. I'm not the best shooter out there, the best trained nor the most experienced. I do however feel pretty confident that I've got more diverse experience then most on CGN.
One thing to be aware of when your looking for this kind of trg is that there are good instructors and there are bad. Actually I should say there are instructors who have a wide range of experience from multiple sources and some who have limited experience. Most people will not know this or what to look for and assume that any trg is good trg. This is not the case. An instructor who was a member of a tier one unit in X country does not mean that the content is relevant or sadly in a lot of cases practical. The industry is rife with junk programs that are taught by good people whose lack of diverse experience leads them to teach sometimes flawed doctrine. A good example of this is teaching a CQB program that is based on the use of the MP5 to a unit that uses standard length M16 type rifles. Its probably a great program for the MP5 but pretty stupid when taught to guys using a completely different platform. Doing things really well the Specnaz way doesn't' mean you know it all, cause you don't. The reason I bring this up is...
Like many on CGN I'm always interested in carbine, pistol, shotgun etc type courses when they are available, especially being in Canada. I've been trying to get a basic carbine off the ground again this summer as many know. When I saw the ATC trg thread it immediately caught my eye. I looked at the website; it seemed pretty vague and so I started to do some digging. I asked for Max's CV, frankly it took some convincing to get. Not that it shouldn't, getting a CV from someone with his experience level should be hard. I checked it against some people I already knew in the industry and was pleased to find it was backed by a good reputation. I obviously can't go into details but rest assured you would be hard pressed to find a firearms instructor in the US who is as qualified at Max. This led me to exchange some emails with Max and ultimately do a lightning run to Alta for some training.
Firstly Max is a fantastic guy. At the drop of a hat he welcomed me into his home and did some great 1 on 1 pistol training before we headed out to do the two day advanced carbine course. My impressions of the course are as follows:
1. The course content is well structured, the mark of an experienced trainer. It works the shooter up to some rather advanced content. Without giving away all the details, which are best experienced in person I will say that the content was progressive and challenging, working the shooter up to dynamic movement while keeping you focused on the fundamentals. I will always stand by the statement that consistent focus on the fundamentals trumps ballistic masturbation every time. In other words I'd rather shoot 400 quality educational rounds then 800 standing 15m from the target for two days. 800 quality rounds are even better.
2. Safety. When you play with dangerous things be they quads, race cars, Jet Skis, planes or guns you have to be aware of doing it safely. Accidents do happen and you need to know that there is someone there who can handle such a situation properly and effectively.A high degree of attention is paid to every shooter on the line and you won't get away with much. Even so if something bad does happen there is a plan and a people there who can make it happen. This is something you will get with an ATS course. I know people who have walked off courses because they felt unsafe, I would do the same.
3. Quality of instruction. The course staff weren't just running through a prefabbed order of events. You will constantly be corrected and in improved throughout the drills. This is the mark of a truly great instructor, when they can quickly pick out where you need to improve and effectively push you in the proper direction. If you don't want to be challenged to improve yourself then don't come to an ATS class.
So my overall impression of Max and ATS, is pretty simple ==> Top quality training. No unfounded BS. I feel pretty confident that it is among the best you can receive in North America. This is why we're hosting ATS in MB for a basic carbine 18/19 Sept. I challenge anyone to prove me wrong.
etc. I'm not the best shooter out there, the best trained nor the most experienced. I do however feel pretty confident that I've got more diverse experience then most on CGN. One thing to be aware of when your looking for this kind of trg is that there are good instructors and there are bad. Actually I should say there are instructors who have a wide range of experience from multiple sources and some who have limited experience. Most people will not know this or what to look for and assume that any trg is good trg. This is not the case. An instructor who was a member of a tier one unit in X country does not mean that the content is relevant or sadly in a lot of cases practical. The industry is rife with junk programs that are taught by good people whose lack of diverse experience leads them to teach sometimes flawed doctrine. A good example of this is teaching a CQB program that is based on the use of the MP5 to a unit that uses standard length M16 type rifles. Its probably a great program for the MP5 but pretty stupid when taught to guys using a completely different platform. Doing things really well the Specnaz way doesn't' mean you know it all, cause you don't. The reason I bring this up is...
Like many on CGN I'm always interested in carbine, pistol, shotgun etc type courses when they are available, especially being in Canada. I've been trying to get a basic carbine off the ground again this summer as many know. When I saw the ATC trg thread it immediately caught my eye. I looked at the website; it seemed pretty vague and so I started to do some digging. I asked for Max's CV, frankly it took some convincing to get. Not that it shouldn't, getting a CV from someone with his experience level should be hard. I checked it against some people I already knew in the industry and was pleased to find it was backed by a good reputation. I obviously can't go into details but rest assured you would be hard pressed to find a firearms instructor in the US who is as qualified at Max. This led me to exchange some emails with Max and ultimately do a lightning run to Alta for some training.
Firstly Max is a fantastic guy. At the drop of a hat he welcomed me into his home and did some great 1 on 1 pistol training before we headed out to do the two day advanced carbine course. My impressions of the course are as follows:
1. The course content is well structured, the mark of an experienced trainer. It works the shooter up to some rather advanced content. Without giving away all the details, which are best experienced in person I will say that the content was progressive and challenging, working the shooter up to dynamic movement while keeping you focused on the fundamentals. I will always stand by the statement that consistent focus on the fundamentals trumps ballistic masturbation every time. In other words I'd rather shoot 400 quality educational rounds then 800 standing 15m from the target for two days. 800 quality rounds are even better
.2. Safety. When you play with dangerous things be they quads, race cars, Jet Skis, planes or guns you have to be aware of doing it safely. Accidents do happen and you need to know that there is someone there who can handle such a situation properly and effectively.A high degree of attention is paid to every shooter on the line and you won't get away with much. Even so if something bad does happen there is a plan and a people there who can make it happen. This is something you will get with an ATS course. I know people who have walked off courses because they felt unsafe, I would do the same.
3. Quality of instruction. The course staff weren't just running through a prefabbed order of events. You will constantly be corrected and in improved throughout the drills. This is the mark of a truly great instructor, when they can quickly pick out where you need to improve and effectively push you in the proper direction. If you don't want to be challenged to improve yourself then don't come to an ATS class.
So my overall impression of Max and ATS, is pretty simple ==> Top quality training. No unfounded BS. I feel pretty confident that it is among the best you can receive in North America. This is why we're hosting ATS in MB for a basic carbine 18/19 Sept. I challenge anyone to prove me wrong.
