Gabe Suarez Close Range Gunfighting

[DDGator]

This past weekend I attended Gabe Suarez' Close Range Gunfighting Class at the Rim Fire Ranch, outside of Tampa.  This was a two day "advanced" class that started with a brief review of the fundamentals, then progressed into shooting on the move, very close range fighting, weapon retention, shooting from retention, use of combatives, and more.

Gabe is not your typical instructor and is no longer affiliated with one of the big schools -- he is doing his own thing and has a lot of new and interesting ideas.  I am still reading the book and trying to assimilate it all.  I know some people pick one school and stick with it, but I think there is some value to learing what you can from different people and seeing what works.

If anyone else is considering training with Gabe, I certainly recommend him.

Here is a picture of me and my bad self engaging a threat at bad breath range.  Notice I have completed a face strike with the left hand to create some time and distance to draw to retention and fire from retention.  Look close and you can see two empty .45 casings in the air.  Pretty cool stuff.

[BillinPittsburgh]

Hi Duane,

Thanks for the information.

I totally agree with attending different schools, evaluating the different approaches, and seeing what works best for you.

[R9SCarry]

Looks good Duane .... I reckon from muzzle position and those cases in the air - that BG has possibly lost his jewels LOL

[DDGator]

Maybe so, but let me tell you -- when your weak hand is two feet in FRONT of the muzzle of the gun, you want to shoot low!  

[Rocnerd]

What 1911 is that in the picture?  Springfield?  Kimber?

[DDGator]

It is a Springfield 1911A1 in stainless with the "Super Tuned" package from the Springfield Custom shop.  It also has a BarSto barrel -- that gun truly rocks.

[Rocnerd]

 :PDROOL I am buying a colt model 70 from this guy I work with who is allowing me installments.  I also have a Kimber Goldmatch, which was the second pistol I bought.  Have you seen the new Springfield in .45 GAP?

[DDGator]

Not in person...  I am not sure I have much use for .45 GAP though.

This Springer was a true deal for me.  I picked it up slightly used and  got it for the equivalent of about $650--even though the owner had about $1,000 in it.  This gun is a true tack-driver that just plain works.

I am testing some Gatorback grips from VZ Grips -- www.vzgrips.com.  I may be able to post a picture later with the new skins.

[Rocnerd]

Yeah, not sure why they did it.  Almost seems blasphemous to put the GAP into the 1911 platform.  I'll hold judgement though, because I've seen the Glock 37 and it is much nicer in the hand than the Glock 21.  Of course I don't see a need to slim down the grip of my Kimber but we'll see what it feels like.

[theirishguard]

Alot of the ladies out there may like it.     Tom