AR-15 Basics Rifle Class @ DSC - May 18

[gwes351]

AR-15 Basics Rifle Class - Saturday May 18, 2024 (8am - 4:30pm @ DSC)

The AR-15 semi-automatic rifle has become an incredibly popular modern sporting rifle platform - and it has an almost endless variety of configurations and options. So, if you have an AR-15 rifle, or are interested in learning more about this modern sporting rifle, The Detroit Sportsmen’s Congress will be conducting a 1-day rifle basics class taught using the AR-15 rifle. It is intended for gun owners new to (or interested in) the AR-15 platform, or those who may be looking to enhance their basic rifle skills and knowledge. The class will be taught by rifle instructors dual certified by MCRGO and the NRA. The class starts in the morning with classroom instruction, then moves to the 200 yd rifle range for afternoon live fire exercises (where the student will receive 1 on 1 coaching from a DSC certified instructor).

Due to the popularity of the AR-15 platform, there are a wide range of classes offered by a wide range of instructors - so why choose this DSC class? Consider the following:
- DSC instructors are NRA and MCRGO dual qualified (and are also NRA certified range safety officers)
- DSC instructors include those with prior military and law enforcement AR-15 rifle experience
- DSC can offer the student a wide range of AR-15 rifle options (DSC or instructor owned) to experience - in addition to what the student may already own. So, if you want to try a different rifle configuration, or optic (LPVO, red dot etc) - DSC can usually provide that opportunity to you - typically at no extra cost to the student.
- DSC's outdoor range provides the opportunity for multiple distance/range training experiences (not limited to indoor range restrictions)
- During the after-lunch live fire range session each student will have a dedicated 1 on 1 coach to guide the student through the exercises

For questions or additional information this class click on the below links or contact:

Bob Savo (rmsavo@ameritech.net) / 586-651-8667

Terry Crockatt (gwc351@hotmail.com )

TO REGISTER: (PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. AS CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED)
RETURN FORM TO ADDRESS BELOW, PAYMENT IS DUE AT CLASS Starts 8 A.M. on 05/18/2024

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/...gin=BROWSELINK

[gwes351]

A question anyone might ask if considering this course would be about it's content, what it covers, how it might be different from other "rifle" classes, etc. This course was developed almost 4 yrs ago by a collaboration between DSC and the Michigan Coalition For Responsible Gun Owner (MCRGO). Based on interest and inquires that MCRGO received about a dedicated AR-15 course, MCRGO approached the DSC instructor cadre for help in developing an AR-15 basic rifle class. This resulting class is now being taught by certified MCRGO rifle instructors state-wide, and this year's DSC class is now our 3rd year in offering it.

The class content looks very similar to the NRA's basic rifle class as it pertains to rifle subjects like: shooting fundamentals, shooting positions, ammunition, safe firearm handling etc. Where it differs from the NRA rifle course is it's sole focus on the AR-15 platform - it does not include the NRA class topics covering other rifle options (bolt, lever, or pump action rifles), or different calibers. So, the only rifle used for this class is the AR-15 (either yours, or 1 provided by DSC - of which there will be many options / configurations available). This AR-15 focus allows more time to get a little deeper into AR-15 specifics (.223/5.56 ammunition options, stoppages & malfunctions, bullet trajectories and zeroing, AR-15 accessories and rifle configurations, optics options, etc). And note that to become a certified MCRGO rifle instructor (to teach this class), you must first be an NRA certified rifle instructor - then be certified to teach this MCRGO class.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions regarding this class.

[JohnJak]

A big thank you goes to DSC. JohnJak

[gwes351]

I thought I'd expand a bit on the course content to give anyone interested a bit more detail. As stated in the above posts, the morning will be spent in the classroom covering the below topics:
- brief history of the AR-15
- general familiarization (rifle components/parts, gas system operation (both DI and gas piston), etc)
- safe and proper rifle handling (load/unload, clear etc)
- disassembly & then also rifle cleaning
- ammunition options (.223 vs. 5.56, what to use for what purpose... etc)
- basics of rifle shooting (the basic fundamentals for any rifle actually)
- how to zero your rifle (at what range, for what purpose, with what ammo, and how that effects bullet trajectory and your desired zero etc
- stoppages and malfunctions (most common types and how to resolve them)
- basic rifle shooting positions (standing, sitting, kneeling prone)

Then after lunch students will move to the range for live fire exercises: (shooting anywhere from 70 - 80+ rounds)
- slow / aimed fire from bench, sitting, kneeling, standing, prone
- rapid fire with quick mag changes
- and if time permits, student may have the opportunity to try a couple of different rifle configurations of their choosing (carbine or rifle options, optics and sight options etc)

Let me emphasize that you do not need an AR-15 to attend this class, as many different rifle configurations can be provided by DSC (or rifles owned by the instructors) - just let us know.

For those of you who may have and AR-15, a fair question might be "how would I benefit from this class"? First of all, if you are relatively new / inexperienced to the AR-15 rifle platform this is your class. And if you are an experienced rifle / long gun shooter - maybe bolt-action hunting rifles or shotguns (but not with an AR-15), this is your class. If you are experienced on the AR-15, but want to introduce other family and friends to the AR-15, this is your class. And if you have no AR-15 experience but are interested (may be thinking of buying 1), this is your class to take before buying your AR-15 sporting rifle.

Let us know if you have any questions

[gwes351]

If you are thinking about attending this AR-15 class, we do ask that your rifle be zeroed to 50 yds (if bringing your own to shoot) - simple reason being that's the distance we'll be shooting. That said, if your rifle is already zeroed at another distance (36yd, 100yd, 200yd etc) that's fine - as long as it is really zeroed at that distance. With any of these other zeros, the POI at 50yds will only be off by less than 2 inches (closer to 1 inch typically) and will not be an issue. With whatever zero you use, we'll be looking for consistency in your shot groupings and not "bullseye" accuracy (but you need to be on paper/target).

I mention your rifle being zeroed as there are weekend opportunities at DSC's 200 yd outdoor range to get zeroed - or confirm your zero - or just come out and have some fun shooting. Through April, the rifle range is open on Sunday's 11am - 3pm. Then starting in May, the range is typically open Saturday & Sundays from 11am - 4pm. If you're not familiar with the DSC 200yd outdoor rifle range, here's some key info:
- range is operated by NRA certified range safety officers (some are also certified NRA rifle instructors)
- (and a reminder to bring your rifle cased)
- the firing line is fully covered with a concrete floor and shooting benches at each station (sandbags to use etc)
- there are 15 shooting lanes, where you can set up targets at 50, 100, and 200 yds (there are actually 20 lanes, but #1 - #5 are being rebuilt)
- there are 2 separate 25yd zero lanes (can be used to set any zero distance - great to use for new rifle or optic to get you close to whatever zero you want - then move to a shooting lane to fine tune it)
- there is no need to rush your shooting, as your range fee is not for 1 hour - if you show up at 11am, you can shoot up to close at 4pm - for the same range fee (non members fee = $20). So, for $20 you can shoot for up to 5 hours (or take a break etc)

Just some other options for you to consider

[JohnJak]

Membership fees?

[gwes351]

Regarding the membership fee question above, below are links to the DSC "about us" webpage, as well as the link to the actual membership application which shows the various membership fees (individual (adult), family, student, junior, senior etc) - and there is a 1-time (upon joining) "administration" fee. The yearly membership fee is reduced by 50% when a member puts in 20 work hours annually. So, how would a member put in work hours, here's some examples:
- volunteer for any one of the projects on-going (e.g. this is spring, so all the committees are scheduling clean up and opening prep for the ranges and grounds. And in the fall, similar projects are scheduled to shut down some of outdoor facilities))
- there is always a need for volunteer painters (whether it's the skeet house, fences, or range buildings and decks)
- become an NRA certified range safety officer where you can then volunteer to man one of the ranges during shooting times
- volunteer to help specific events - whether it's the kids Christmas party, or monthly steel match (for adults and juniors), there are activities every month

As I said earlier, there are activities always going on that could use help (work projects, specific events etc) - all you have to do is ask

[gwes351]

here are the links for my above post

https://dscweb.org/

https://dscweb.org/wp-content/upload...20Jan-June.pdf