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MAG-40: A Course Review from May 2012
by Jeff Cater
So how did I get here?
The road that put me sitting in front of Massad Ayoob for his MAG-40 class held in May at the Nighthawk Custom Training Academy (NCTA) in Centerton, Arkansas has been a unique one as I’m sure most are. But the beginning of this story really started several years ago.
While visiting family at first and later living in northwest Arkansas, I was exposed to guns and hunting at the early age of six by members of my family. I learned to shoot and hunt with a Ruger 10-22 on a family farm owned by my grandparents. Our first backstop was a black cherry tree that was almost 4 feet in diameter at ground level and many a Pepsi and Coke can were shot to pieces there. Then around the age of 10 it was on to hunting with my own, first gun -- a Savage .410 gauge single-shot shotgun, which later led to learning to shoot a .38 caliber, 6-inch barreled, wheel gun. That was all considered very normal during the time and place where I was. Unfortunately today a great number of kids growing up won’t have the same opportunities I and several other family members enjoyed. For a few years in between the age of 6 and 13 my family lived in SE Michigan, and in a very large city; a city that had 13 high schools type of large. It was there I learned a different set of skills and did not have the same opportunities to shoot and hunt as in NW Arkansas.
Fast forward now some twenty-something years later to approximately 2007. I am again living in NW Arkansas and this time I’ve had my own family to raise. I began to notice that some of the things I’m seeing and hearing on an increasingly regular basis remind me of my time in a bigger city. I made the commitment to get both a concealed handgun carry license and whatever training I needed to protect myself and my family.
So I now have a concealed carry license for the state of Arkansas and have gone in search of training. The majority of the training material I found was in the form of books, articles, and memberships in a few organizations such as the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) which include very informative, monthly publications. I was already an NRA Life Member and the NRA itself is a very good source of information in a variety of areas.
But, something was missing. I couldn’t explain it, articulate it, or put my finger on it. In other words – I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
So in October of 2011 I was sitting in a familiar barber chair on a Friday afternoon. I was getting a haircut from Leigh Anne Pinto, the owner of Head Hunters in Pea Ridge. This is a routine that I’ve had for many years. What made this particular afternoon different though was when Leigh Anne asked me if I had plans for the weekend and I gave as part of my response – I was going to make my once or twice a month visit to a gun range in the area to practice – she said, “Well I’m glad we finally have our range built.” Wait. What?
You had a gun range built? So this is how I learned that Nighthawk Custom Training Academy became to be. While this new info was sinking in, then she said, “Oh and Massad Ayoob is coming here in May.” Wait, what? Who? Massad Ayoob.
I of course recognized the name from many articles, and at that time seven of the books I’d purchased over the past four years as the author. Mas’ Gun Digest series of books (Defensive Handgun Skills, Book of Combat Hand Gunnery, Book of Concealed Carry, The Greatest Handguns of the World, Combat Shooting, and The Guide to Concealed Carry Handguns) along with Stressfire and then In the Gravest Extreme were in my collection. Massad Ayoob is coming here? When? In May. I knew I couldn’t let this opportunity pass by. It is not every day such a well known and experienced instructor comes into the area. Usually someone wanting to attend such a class must travel a few states away. So, now I knew I didn’t know what I didn’t know, and Mas was coming to the newly formed NCTA in May.
When I said that this was a class that I wanted to attend but felt I probably needed to do some homework before hand, Leigh Anne said she thought it would be a good idea to make a trip out to the range to meet the staff and she was right. I spent a portion of almost every weekend from November through May at Nighthawk Custom Training Academy so I could find out what I didn’t know, initially in preparation for the upcoming MAG-40 class. Leigh Anne’s husband Frank Pinto, Jon Hodoway and the entire Team at NCTA were all very accommodating and quite effective at pointing out what I didn’t know as things turned out. What they did was not only teach me the skills I needed to know in preparation for the MAG-40 class, but also introduced me to a new means of practicing and continuous learning – competition shooting. NCTA hosts both IDPA and USPSA club matches each month as well as other sanctioned events each year. The monthly matches are very good at presenting scenarios which simulate the need for self-defensive skills and add the element of being “on the timer” and keeping score with your peers.
So how did I get here?
The road that put me sitting in front of Massad Ayoob for his MAG-40 class held in May at the Nighthawk Custom Training Academy (NCTA) in Centerton, Arkansas has been a unique one as I’m sure most are. But the beginning of this story really started several years ago.
While visiting family at first and later living in northwest Arkansas, I was exposed to guns and hunting at the early age of six by members of my family. I learned to shoot and hunt with a Ruger 10-22 on a family farm owned by my grandparents. Our first backstop was a black cherry tree that was almost 4 feet in diameter at ground level and many a Pepsi and Coke can were shot to pieces there. Then around the age of 10 it was on to hunting with my own, first gun -- a Savage .410 gauge single-shot shotgun, which later led to learning to shoot a .38 caliber, 6-inch barreled, wheel gun. That was all considered very normal during the time and place where I was. Unfortunately today a great number of kids growing up won’t have the same opportunities I and several other family members enjoyed. For a few years in between the age of 6 and 13 my family lived in SE Michigan, and in a very large city; a city that had 13 high schools type of large. It was there I learned a different set of skills and did not have the same opportunities to shoot and hunt as in NW Arkansas.
Fast forward now some twenty-something years later to approximately 2007. I am again living in NW Arkansas and this time I’ve had my own family to raise. I began to notice that some of the things I’m seeing and hearing on an increasingly regular basis remind me of my time in a bigger city. I made the commitment to get both a concealed handgun carry license and whatever training I needed to protect myself and my family.
So I now have a concealed carry license for the state of Arkansas and have gone in search of training. The majority of the training material I found was in the form of books, articles, and memberships in a few organizations such as the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) which include very informative, monthly publications. I was already an NRA Life Member and the NRA itself is a very good source of information in a variety of areas.
But, something was missing. I couldn’t explain it, articulate it, or put my finger on it. In other words – I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
So in October of 2011 I was sitting in a familiar barber chair on a Friday afternoon. I was getting a haircut from Leigh Anne Pinto, the owner of Head Hunters in Pea Ridge. This is a routine that I’ve had for many years. What made this particular afternoon different though was when Leigh Anne asked me if I had plans for the weekend and I gave as part of my response – I was going to make my once or twice a month visit to a gun range in the area to practice – she said, “Well I’m glad we finally have our range built.” Wait. What?
You had a gun range built? So this is how I learned that Nighthawk Custom Training Academy became to be. While this new info was sinking in, then she said, “Oh and Massad Ayoob is coming here in May.” Wait, what? Who? Massad Ayoob.
I of course recognized the name from many articles, and at that time seven of the books I’d purchased over the past four years as the author. Mas’ Gun Digest series of books (Defensive Handgun Skills, Book of Combat Hand Gunnery, Book of Concealed Carry, The Greatest Handguns of the World, Combat Shooting, and The Guide to Concealed Carry Handguns) along with Stressfire and then In the Gravest Extreme were in my collection. Massad Ayoob is coming here? When? In May. I knew I couldn’t let this opportunity pass by. It is not every day such a well known and experienced instructor comes into the area. Usually someone wanting to attend such a class must travel a few states away. So, now I knew I didn’t know what I didn’t know, and Mas was coming to the newly formed NCTA in May.
When I said that this was a class that I wanted to attend but felt I probably needed to do some homework before hand, Leigh Anne said she thought it would be a good idea to make a trip out to the range to meet the staff and she was right. I spent a portion of almost every weekend from November through May at Nighthawk Custom Training Academy so I could find out what I didn’t know, initially in preparation for the upcoming MAG-40 class. Leigh Anne’s husband Frank Pinto, Jon Hodoway and the entire Team at NCTA were all very accommodating and quite effective at pointing out what I didn’t know as things turned out. What they did was not only teach me the skills I needed to know in preparation for the MAG-40 class, but also introduced me to a new means of practicing and continuous learning – competition shooting. NCTA hosts both IDPA and USPSA club matches each month as well as other sanctioned events each year. The monthly matches are very good at presenting scenarios which simulate the need for self-defensive skills and add the element of being “on the timer” and keeping score with your peers.
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Also, this type of training is an outstanding way to wring out your equipment and find out what works, and of course what doesn’t; it’s not marketing dollars or trademarks that will ensure your equipment works when called upon. It’s something everyone should know very well prior to facing any type of confrontation or incident that could have life or death consequences.
While some may see competition as a game, which it may be to an extent, it still is valuable practice for immediately putting a reactionary plan into action. You definitely do not want to stay in the “I don’t know what I don’t know” state of mind. How will your mind and body react when you are winded, out of breath, full of adrenaline and under extreme stress? Will you be able to defend yourself, a loved one, or a defenseless victim when put into that situation? If you don’t own a large block of property with a 4-foot wide black cherry tree, a “safe house” or other facility where you can safely practice these skills you might need to consider competition as a reasonable solution so you can answer these questions without a doubt.
While some may see competition as a game, which it may be to an extent, it still is valuable practice for immediately putting a reactionary plan into action. You definitely do not want to stay in the “I don’t know what I don’t know” state of mind. How will your mind and body react when you are winded, out of breath, full of adrenaline and under extreme stress? Will you be able to defend yourself, a loved one, or a defenseless victim when put into that situation? If you don’t own a large block of property with a 4-foot wide black cherry tree, a “safe house” or other facility where you can safely practice these skills you might need to consider competition as a reasonable solution so you can answer these questions without a doubt.
Massad Ayoob
For those who may not be familiar with Mas or his areas of expertise, let me share with you a little history:
Mas is one of the best known self-defense instructors in the world. He founded the Massad Ayoob Group (MAG) following a move to Florida. Prior to this he is a career, 35-year law enforcement officer from New Hampshire holding the rank of Captain. His development of the Stressfire system began in the 1970’s early in his career. To coincide with his time in law enforcement, he has served as Handgun Editor for Guns magazine and Law Enforcement Editor of American Handgunner magazine. He spent nearly 20 years as the chairman of the firearms/deadly force training committee of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET), is currently serving on the advisory board of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILLEETA), and has taught regionally, nationally and internationally for the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI). He served for 28 years as director of the Lethal Force Institute (LFI) and for 30 years has been a court-accepted expert witness on weapons and shooting cases. --from Stressfire
Mas is one of the best known self-defense instructors in the world. He founded the Massad Ayoob Group (MAG) following a move to Florida. Prior to this he is a career, 35-year law enforcement officer from New Hampshire holding the rank of Captain. His development of the Stressfire system began in the 1970’s early in his career. To coincide with his time in law enforcement, he has served as Handgun Editor for Guns magazine and Law Enforcement Editor of American Handgunner magazine. He spent nearly 20 years as the chairman of the firearms/deadly force training committee of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET), is currently serving on the advisory board of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILLEETA), and has taught regionally, nationally and internationally for the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI). He served for 28 years as director of the Lethal Force Institute (LFI) and for 30 years has been a court-accepted expert witness on weapons and shooting cases. --from Stressfire
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Suffice it to say, he is an expert in the areas of discipline for self-defense, and reason enough to attend one of his training classes.
The Classroom
Included in the MAG-40 class description (http://massadayoobgroup.com) it is described this way:
“An intense, four-day, 40-hour immersion course in the “rules of engagement” for armed law-abiding private citizens. The course emphasizes legal issues, tactical issues, and aftermath management. Topics will include interacting with suspects, witnesses, responding police officers, threat recognition and mind-set, and the management of the social and psychological aftermath of having to use lethal force in defense of self or others. Also covered is preparing beforehand for legal repercussions and minimizing your exposure to them. Situations in the home, at the place of business, or “on the street” will all be covered. Range work will include instruction in the use of the defensive handgun under extreme stress. Drawing from concealment, two-handed stances, shooting from cover, one-handed stances with either hand, speed reloading, and more are taught with an overall emphasis on fast, accurate shot placement. The course will culminate with a written examination covering the classroom topics and a police-style handgun qualification course.”
To say it’s an intense four days is an understatement. At the end of each day as well as the forth and final day I was both mentally and physically exhausted. The class itself was divided up into two portions: approximately 30 hours of classroom time and 10 hours of range time. And you have homework each night to do.
In the equipment list and things to bring to class it says a laptop is recommended to take notes. I didn’t take a laptop but I did end up taking 44 pages of hand-written notes. So be aware and chose your classroom tools wisely. Almost every statement and sentence Mas shares with you over the four days you want in your notes.
Gun and weapons safety is the first range rule you’ll learn, and why. That theme stays with the entire four days. Also, think and work from a perspective similar to what many SWAT teams use as a standard – if anyonedies during a crime, incident, situation, etc., then there was a failure to control the situation.
“An intense, four-day, 40-hour immersion course in the “rules of engagement” for armed law-abiding private citizens. The course emphasizes legal issues, tactical issues, and aftermath management. Topics will include interacting with suspects, witnesses, responding police officers, threat recognition and mind-set, and the management of the social and psychological aftermath of having to use lethal force in defense of self or others. Also covered is preparing beforehand for legal repercussions and minimizing your exposure to them. Situations in the home, at the place of business, or “on the street” will all be covered. Range work will include instruction in the use of the defensive handgun under extreme stress. Drawing from concealment, two-handed stances, shooting from cover, one-handed stances with either hand, speed reloading, and more are taught with an overall emphasis on fast, accurate shot placement. The course will culminate with a written examination covering the classroom topics and a police-style handgun qualification course.”
To say it’s an intense four days is an understatement. At the end of each day as well as the forth and final day I was both mentally and physically exhausted. The class itself was divided up into two portions: approximately 30 hours of classroom time and 10 hours of range time. And you have homework each night to do.
In the equipment list and things to bring to class it says a laptop is recommended to take notes. I didn’t take a laptop but I did end up taking 44 pages of hand-written notes. So be aware and chose your classroom tools wisely. Almost every statement and sentence Mas shares with you over the four days you want in your notes.
Gun and weapons safety is the first range rule you’ll learn, and why. That theme stays with the entire four days. Also, think and work from a perspective similar to what many SWAT teams use as a standard – if anyonedies during a crime, incident, situation, etc., then there was a failure to control the situation.
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Make no mistake; this course is not only about survival in a life or death situation but also deterrence, responsibility, and overall threat management. You will understand what will happen or what to expect before, during and after an incident. When is deadly force justified? What factors must exist to justify it? After attending you will not only have a better understanding of how to use deadly force, but more importantly whenuse of deadly force can be used justifiably. Private citizens do not have a duty to respond with deadly force unless it is in direct response to a deadly force or threat. This is a much different comparison than that of a law enforcement officer which may use necessary force in order to overcome and take control of a situation.
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Many of the techniques Mas teaches stem from his work on his Stressfire system. A good example would be your grip. An accurate shot not only begins with a solid grip, but more specifically includes:
· Power Stance
· High Hand
· Crush Grip
· Front Sight
· Smooth Roll of the Trigger
Do you know the five Color Codes of Awareness, or how they match up with Standards of Proof? You will. What should you do if a person who is known to you as a felon, runs from a scene of a crime that you saw him commit? What parts of the body should be targeted to immediately immobilize someone with a weapon coming at you or a loved one, to stop them in their tracks? What are the common emotional and psychological symptoms that follow a life-threatening event such as a shooting? Do you know how long a law enforcement officer involved in a “fight or flight” event such as a shooting has to normally wait prior to returning to duty and why?
All of these questions and many more are discussed and answered at MAG-40.
It is the legal side of responsibility of carrying a concealed weapon that I believe really sets a MAG-40 class apart from any other source of information available anywhere. Mas has an outstanding way of interpreting and explaining case law and precedence and how they may referenced, cases he has been involved in or followed after the fact that is invaluable and largely unavailable otherwise. He helps you understand specific situations when you can or cannot use a weapon as noted above.
One very important thing to remember too is that laws change over time. Even if someone could recall every local, state and federal law today, tomorrow they’ll be different. Keeping this information fresh if very important as ignorance of the law is not going to help you.
During and following a shooting or “fight or flight” response, what do you do first? Who do you talk to? What needs to be done? These are things that you need to know. Witnesses? Injuries? Call 9-1-1? First responders? Will you be arrested? There is a process, and one you need to know if you carry a concealed handgun.
At the end of the classroom portion of the class, you will take a “final exam” over the material covered over the past four days.
· Power Stance
· High Hand
· Crush Grip
· Front Sight
· Smooth Roll of the Trigger
Do you know the five Color Codes of Awareness, or how they match up with Standards of Proof? You will. What should you do if a person who is known to you as a felon, runs from a scene of a crime that you saw him commit? What parts of the body should be targeted to immediately immobilize someone with a weapon coming at you or a loved one, to stop them in their tracks? What are the common emotional and psychological symptoms that follow a life-threatening event such as a shooting? Do you know how long a law enforcement officer involved in a “fight or flight” event such as a shooting has to normally wait prior to returning to duty and why?
All of these questions and many more are discussed and answered at MAG-40.
It is the legal side of responsibility of carrying a concealed weapon that I believe really sets a MAG-40 class apart from any other source of information available anywhere. Mas has an outstanding way of interpreting and explaining case law and precedence and how they may referenced, cases he has been involved in or followed after the fact that is invaluable and largely unavailable otherwise. He helps you understand specific situations when you can or cannot use a weapon as noted above.
One very important thing to remember too is that laws change over time. Even if someone could recall every local, state and federal law today, tomorrow they’ll be different. Keeping this information fresh if very important as ignorance of the law is not going to help you.
During and following a shooting or “fight or flight” response, what do you do first? Who do you talk to? What needs to be done? These are things that you need to know. Witnesses? Injuries? Call 9-1-1? First responders? Will you be arrested? There is a process, and one you need to know if you carry a concealed handgun.
At the end of the classroom portion of the class, you will take a “final exam” over the material covered over the past four days.
The Range
First is safety, and understanding the rules of the range. The range portion of the class is not a beginner’s level course. It is geared towards a more experienced shooter that is already familiar with basic gun handling techniques, loading and reloading, knowing your gun’s zero with the ammunition you’d be using, and basic proficiency. So with this in mind, what equipment should you choose, and why? Is the reasoning for choosing it for concealed carry defendable? What type and weight of bullet? This isn’t a discussion of one caliber vs. another. What type of handgun? Holster? Clothing choices?
If you’ve chosen to carry, then always carry. Not sometimes, not when convenient and not only when you remember. Always carry and carry legally.
On the range while practicing the various positions and stances if your equipment has a weakness or inconsistency this is where it will show up, trust me. Several malfunctions and equipment failures happened over the four days and some with very popular, mainstream equipment.
At varying distances between 4 yards and 15 yards you learn and practice: strong hand only, weak hand only, shooting with both hands, beginning from a low ready gun position to drawing from a holster. All stages or individual strings are shot six rounds at a time. This way, no matter which type of pistol or revolver you choose to use everyone’s on an even playing field. You will also practice shooting to slide lock, speed reloading from slide lock, shooting from standing and kneeling positions, the cover crouch, as well as learning to shoot from the traditional Weaver, Chapman and Isosceles stances.
If you’ve chosen to carry, then always carry. Not sometimes, not when convenient and not only when you remember. Always carry and carry legally.
On the range while practicing the various positions and stances if your equipment has a weakness or inconsistency this is where it will show up, trust me. Several malfunctions and equipment failures happened over the four days and some with very popular, mainstream equipment.
At varying distances between 4 yards and 15 yards you learn and practice: strong hand only, weak hand only, shooting with both hands, beginning from a low ready gun position to drawing from a holster. All stages or individual strings are shot six rounds at a time. This way, no matter which type of pistol or revolver you choose to use everyone’s on an even playing field. You will also practice shooting to slide lock, speed reloading from slide lock, shooting from standing and kneeling positions, the cover crouch, as well as learning to shoot from the traditional Weaver, Chapman and Isosceles stances.
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And as I’ve heard many times at NCTA, “Shooting is a perishable skill.” Not touching a gun for several years after qualifying as a military sharpshooter probably is not going to be very helpful if you needed to make a near perfect shot tomorrow.
At the end of the range portion of the class everyone shoots a 60-round, police-style qualification course on the last day. A passing score is 225 out of 300 total possible points. The course and stages primarily consist of the practice work from the previous three days. Mas and the range officers shoot the course before the students to again illustrate correctly each position and stance but more importantly they set the cadence for each stage. Each stage has a different time limit which it must be completed in, ranging from 1.3 seconds per shot all the way up to 5 seconds per shot.
At the end of the range portion of the class everyone shoots a 60-round, police-style qualification course on the last day. A passing score is 225 out of 300 total possible points. The course and stages primarily consist of the practice work from the previous three days. Mas and the range officers shoot the course before the students to again illustrate correctly each position and stance but more importantly they set the cadence for each stage. Each stage has a different time limit which it must be completed in, ranging from 1.3 seconds per shot all the way up to 5 seconds per shot.
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To add some additional pressure, or incentive, Mas wages a signed $1 bill for anyone who ties his score, and a signed $5 bill for anyone that “beats him at his own game.” Several of the range officers in the May class were able to tie Mas’ perfect 300 score but of course no one could have beaten it.
None of the students shot a perfect 300, but I believe the high score was a 298. And the class average as a whole shot “expert” with most scores around the 280-290 range. I am “shooting” for a 300 the next time I get the opportunity, and…there will be another opportunity here in NW Arkansas, at NCTA in September at the next MAG-40 class. You can register here.
None of the students shot a perfect 300, but I believe the high score was a 298. And the class average as a whole shot “expert” with most scores around the 280-290 range. I am “shooting” for a 300 the next time I get the opportunity, and…there will be another opportunity here in NW Arkansas, at NCTA in September at the next MAG-40 class. You can register here.
