TRENDING Vickers Tactical 1911 Operator Course
During the disassembly and maintenance portion, Vickers talks students through the take-down process in steps. At key junctures, he diagrams certain parts and explains how they relate to the cycle of operations as the 1911 fires.
Along with the discussion of the internal parts, the topic shifts to troubleshooting and maintenance during this time. One example is the fi t between the barrel, barrel link, and frame as it affects feed- ing of ammunition from the magazine. Another is when to change certain springs. A third was adjusting the extractor tension for optimal perfor-
mance. As some students found problems with their pistol, Vick- ers was able to make minor repairs on scene. While not exactly an armorer course, this portion came very close. The students then lubricate and reassemble their pistol. The lu-
brication discussion was done in detail with plenty of clarifi cation. This weapon system requires lubrication protocol that is not an exact match with polymer frame pistols. Some students required more guidance than others to get their pistol reassembled. There was plenty of one-to-one time with the instructor to ensure the process was done correctly. All but one student [who lost a pin]
Test firing after reassembling the pistols. Shooters were instructed on a regimen of test drills for function including weak hand and deliberately loose grip.
had their pistols back together before lunch. The afternoon range session was a chance to test fi re the pistols
for function. Trainees were instructed to fi re in slow and rapid fi re. Another reliability test was to shoot the pistol with a deliberately loose hold–dominant and support hand only. Pistols were fi red with deliberate cant to the side. The variety of test fi res adds a level of confi dence that each pistol will perform when needed. Timed event individual and team drills round out the afternoon.
Some involved dominant and support hand shooting. Probably the most pragmatic event is termed the ‘test’: 10 shots, 10 yards, 10 seconds from the holster. Scoring is on an NRA B-8 bullseye target with one second added for each shot outside the black. While this may sound innocuous, it is more challenging than
you might think. Depending on the total elapsed time, a shooter could still pass with a hit or two outside the bullseye. However, there was a noticeable amount of ‘soul searching’ as the fi rst relay came off the fi ring line. If you use a 1911 pistol as a work gun, you need this course.
It will help you run the gun better. The drills help you become more accurate and profi cient. It will help you maintain the gun so it functions at that critical moment. There is an old adage: “Train as if your life depends on it.” The Vickers 1911 Operator Course fi ts that bill and then some.
Ron Yanor is retired after a 25-year law enforcement career. He spent 19 years on a 22-operator multi-directional tactical unit. Since 1999, he has been a contract trainer and currently operates Adamax Tactical Academy in Illinois. He is also on the staff of Tactical Energetic Entry Systems.
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Team drills for time. The stress of competition adds a layer of realism to the training.
54 LAW and ORDER I June 2016
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