Kalamazoo Combatives

07/27/2023

Let's talk about Beginner Handgun, or as we refer to it, "Everything but the bang!"

Our beginner handgun course specifically caters to those who have very little to absolutely no experience with a handgun, but want to know the basics of safety, handling, and use. It's designed to take the fear factor out of fi****ms by giving students to exposure to everything but total live fire.

Some of you may think this outlandish that we **gasp** don't fire an actual live round during the course, so I wanted to take some time to debunk a few things about that idea. It's a long post, but hopefully I'll get some wheels turning (or I'll just anger the internet).

Many of our clients choose to start their journey here because of prior negative experiences surrounding fi****ms. They understand that the world is not devoid of fi****ms, and they are curious, but they are cautious and careful. The thought of taking an 5 hour plus course where there is live fire may cause nervousness, anxiety, or fear. None of these are wrong ways to feel, but jumping in with both feet and having a tool that you don't understand shoved at you to "show you how to shoot". By choosing this path they get to explore this option in an environment that is safe, relaxed, and doesn't carry the possibility of the fi***rm being able to be loaded, and fired.

Some of our clients need processing times that are not shoveling 10 hours worth of information into 5. By taking this class, they get to ask more questions, have more one on one time with instructors, and they get to process all of this information prior to going to a live fire class. It's a win-win because when they do pick up a fi***rm to shoot it for the first time, they have a deeper understanding that was developed without trying to simply get them to the end goal of firing rounds down range.

Others clients like this class because they get to work through problems they've had in the past while shooting and get simple to understand, complete instructions as to the why's and how's of pistol shooting that allows them to make more informed choices about the equipment they are selecting and how they want to use the fi***rm (or not).

During the 3 hour course we go in depth into safety, handling, shooting, and how semi-automatic pistols work. Every present gets to work with our SIRT pistols (laser indicating pistols), and our cool fire trainers (gas recoil enabled pistols). The safety of the tools and the factors that make them impossible to load and use as a live fire gun are discussed. Clients leave with increased understanding of operation of the pistols and the essential skills necessary to shoot a semi-automatic fi***rm.

The coolest piece, is that students who go on to do live fire, generally out perform first time shooters who have not had these experiences. We love teaching this course and our clients love the confidence and results that it produces when they do choose to live fire a pistol.

Our next two beginner handgun classes are August 22nd (5:30-8:30pm) and September 12th (5:30-8:30pm). FB doesn't like it when we post prices, my apologies on that, but you can call 269-978-1525 or stop by 8139 Portage Rd, Portage, MI to find out more about pricing and availability. This class is eligible for our buy 4, get 1 free policy, so don't forget to ask about that as well. We hope to see you at a class soon!

07/27/2023

Summer is winding down quickly, but there's still time to train! Late summer, while traditionally hot, can be a great reason to get outside and enjoy some range time, or stay inside in the AC while getting in some great brain training. Fortunately, we have offerings for both.

We are using late summer to start a new program at Wolverine Defense Academy. That is our take 4 get 1 free class offerings. Any of our class sign ups (anything from CPR/First Aid to CPL to a private lesson) will start stacking toward your free class (there are a couple of limitations on what the freebie can be, but there's not a ton of fine print). Sign up for a class on August 1st or later and it will count toward your 4 classes, so be prepared to jump in and sign up!

Unsure as to what our offerings are? We get it! We're known for our CPL classes, but we are so much more! Therefore the following is a list of our current offerings:
Beginner Handgun (never touched a gun)
Pepper Spray
Holster Fundamentals
Image Based Decisional Drills (Learn how to make better decisions faster, just short of force on force)
Gun Cleaning
Concealed Pistol License Renewal
First Aid/CPR training
Home Defense Strategies and Tactics
Active Shooter Seminar
Unarmed Tactics and Mindset
Tactical Medicine

In addition to that list we still host and love our Portage, MI chapter of A Girl & A Gun, we offer private lessons, and skills sessions for BLS and Heartsaver CPR courses. We're not done hosting guest instructors from all over the country in 2023 and will continue to do so in 2024. We will continue adding to our course offerings and we look forward to seeing you in class soon.

If one of the courses caught your eye and you want to know more please call 269-978-1525 or stop by 8139 Portage Rd, Portage, MI to ask us about all things self-defense and safety related!

07/27/2023

Women's Only Class Alert!

This August, we are piloting a new program through Wolverine Defense Academy, and we want you to be there!

Did you know that we have the largest cadre of female fi****ms instructors in the state? We have 4 female staff instructors, and the Portage, MI chapter of A Girl & A Gun has 7 total female instructors. In addition, there are 12 members of AG&AG who are certified Range Safety Officers. We are proud of all of their accomplishments, and want to bring their knowledge and experience to a specialty class here in the greater Kalamazoo area. The class will be led by Heather Reeves, and assistant instructors will include Cass Crago, and Jamie Lee (among others).

Are you a female who has been thinking about getting a Concealed Pistol License, but hasn't been ready to commit the time, energy and effort necessary because it just "doesn't feel right"? Are you a female who is looking for more because your CPL class left you a little short of ready to carry for one reason or another? Then this is the opportunity and it is knocking!

On August 26th and 27th, we will be offering our first ever Comprehensive Concealed Carry and it's just for the ladies. In addition to covering the material necessary for applying for the Michigan Concealed Pistol License, you will receive experience drawing from a holster, running some use of force scenarios, and a more in depth discussion of the realities of concealed carry in the real world.

For the class you will need to bring 200 rounds of am******on, a fi***rm, holster if you have one, eye and ear protection, a sturdy belt, and a brimmed cap. Don't have a fi***rm? No problem, we can arrange a rental. No holster? No problem, we will have several options available for you to try.

FB algorithms make it tough to post pricing but trust us, this is a deal not to be missed. If you would like pricing, registration information, or to talk to someone about whether or not the class is right for you please call 269-978-1525 or stop by 8139 Portage Rd, Portage, MI. We are limiting this inaugural event to the first 16 participants.

The class will be staffed by women, so this is a by women, for women event and we are looking forward to it! We expect it to fill quickly, so do not delay!

07/26/2023

Reminder! We are hosting LouAnn Hamblin of LouKa Tactical on August 12th and 13th. We have hosted LouAnn twice before and we are looking forward to doing it again! All who have joined us in the past, have nothing but amazing things to say about her classes both from a content and an instructor perspective. She is no-nonsense with none of the ego. A Michigan native, she loves coming back here to teach and knows that those of you who follow us are quality people with a desire to protect yourselves.

August 12th is dedicated to pistol marksmanship. This is a great opportunity for you to learn how to hit the sniper shot you've always wanted to make with your pistol. We will be working our way out to 40 yards with the pistol and if you are attentive and work to put what she is teaching into action, you'll be able to hit what you're aiming at, yes, even from that far away.

August 13th is something different with a day dedicated to ri**es. Come learn all about your r***e, tear down, maintenance, zeroing, and running some great drills. It will be a time of learning on a different than normal platform for our hosted classes.

There is a discount available for those choosing to attend both days of class, and more information (including price, which FB hates if we post) is available by calling 269-978-1525 or stopping in at 8139 Portage Rd., Portage, MI.

We hope you'll consider taking advantage of this amazing opportunity.

03/11/2023

Gear Talk #6

Hats off to you!

One of the pieces of equipment that I simply cannot live without on the range is a good baseball cap. I have a bunch of them and I carry a bunch of extras in my car for when I bring guests and students with me to the range and they show up without one. It's amazing to me still how many people don't understand how important a hat is when they are on the range (yes, even indoors).

A billed hat can do all the normal things; hide bad hair days, keep sun out of your eyes, and express your individuality. Those things are important and cool, but that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the importance of a hat during a range session. If you shoot with a semi-automatic, or shoot with people who have them then you know that brass is HOT when it comes out of the gun. It gets flung all over the place and has an uncanny knack for finding its way into places you simply do not want it to go; down your shirt (front or back), into pockets, hoods, and yes it's even possible for it to find its way around your shooting glasses.

Brass behind the glasses is to date the most uncomfortable thing that has happened and can happen in a safe shooting environment. Having hot brass make its way toward your eyes when you thought they were protected gives me chills just thinking about it. A baseball hat can stop much of this before it starts because it narrows the window for brass to get there in the first place and can even stop some brass from making it down your shirt.

Is it a guarantee? No. But does it reduce the likelihood that it's going to happen? Absolutely! Do we highly recommend you consider wearing a baseball hat at every range session 100%.

So if you're not used to wearing a cap, dust that one in the corner of your room off, or go out and buy yourself a new one and take it with you to your next session. You might be pleasantly surprised at how much less brass hits you in the face!

TLDR? Wear a baseball cap to protect your eyes and your face!

03/11/2023

Guest Instructor Spotlight:

Massad Ayoob of the Massad Ayoob Group (MAG) will be joining us June 17-20 for MAG-20/MAG-40. Mas has been a leader and authority in the fi****ms training industry as well as a sought after expert witness since the 1970s. As such, this is an event not to be missed. These classes are designed for average, everyday concealed carriers who want to gain more of an understanding of the realities of self-defense encounters. There is no pre-requisite for MAG-20 and MAG-40 has a pre-requisite of understanding and following safe gun handling rules.

MAG-20 is a two day, 20 hour lecture course on the armed citizens' rules of engagement. During these two days he discusses topics that range from law enforcement interactions, legal right to self-defense, tactical issues, and aftermath management. These are topics that ALL armed citizens should know about and have a solid understanding of.

MAG-40 is MAG-20 plus live fire. After the two days of lecture are concluded, those participating in MAG-40 will transition to the range for two days of putting the information shared during the lecture into practice. You will get experience working with your gun from the holster, controlling the scene of a violent force encounter, working on shot placement, and more. Completing the full four days brings the concepts to life as you gain hands on experience.

For more information about the courses please visit https://massadayoobgroup.com

To sign up or get some of your questions answered please stop by our location at 8139 Portage Rd. Portage, MI 49002 or call 269-978-1525 today! We look forward to having you in this eye-opening class.

Massad Ayoob Group Homepage, listing of classes offered.

03/10/2023

Gear Talk #8

Lead contamination

Shooting a gun comes with a lot of obvious risks. One that is invisible and doesn't get talked about enough is lead contamination. Bullets are made of lead, even if they are jacketed or plated, there is a certain amount of lead that is still coating various part of the cartridge, box, gun, and more. As you shoot there are other heavy metals and chemicals in the powder and primer that are released into the air around you, and invisibly coat your clothing, and anything else in the vicinity of your shooting station.

Shooting outdoors can help minimize much of this contamination, but it is still there at some level. So what can we do to minimize the likelihood of our hobby turning into a health problem?

First, stop licking your bullets....just kidding....kind of... The serious piece of this is you have to take into consideration that you shouldn't eat or drink while you are on the range. If you want to or need to bring water with you make sure that it is in a container that you keep away from any shooting activity and minimize or eliminate touching the cap/straw/lid, etc...Disposable containers that you can throw out when done, or a reusable container that you wash after every trip to the range (not with other dishes), would also be acceptable.

Next, think about all the things you touch when you are at the range and done at the range. Your hands are coated in all sorts of things that you do not want to ingest. Whenever possible wash your hands in cold water (keeps the pores from opening) with soap (if possible de-lead soap or similar). If it's not possible to do so right away, do it as soon as you can after you're done. Consider changing your clothes as soon as possible, and having range shoes that you only wear while you are at the range. Anything you can do to separate things that are contaminated with gun powder, heavy metals, etc... is going to help minimize your exposure.

Lastly, if you regularly shoot at a range where you do not have the ability to wash your hands right away consider carrying some lead-off, de-lead, or similar wipes. They come in a container like baby wipes, and you give your hands and anything else a quick wipe down when you're done on the range. While not quite as effective as running water, they get the bulk of the contamination off your hands or other surfaces in a convenient and portable manner.

It may seem silly, but safety isn't just about gun handling, it's about keeping us safe in ALL the ways possible. Making sure we're healthy enough to enjoy friends, family, and life in general is part of that!

If you're interested in more information stop by and see us at 8139 Portage Rd, or call 269-978-1525.

03/10/2023

Did you know that we don't just teach amazing classes, but we also host them!

One of the amazing things about this industry is that there is a whole group of really fantastic instructors that are willing to travel and teach classes all over the country in the past we have hosted Dave Spaulding (Handgun Combatives), Lee Weems (First Person Safety), Brian Hill (The Complete Combatant), John Murphy (FPF Training), Caleb Causey (Lone Star Medics) and LouAnn Hamblin (LouKa Tactical). This year is no different, we will be hosting a variety of classes by crazy good instructors.

The first guest instructor spotlight of 2023 goes to Tom Givens of Rangemaster. He will be here June 9-11th for his Three Day Fi****ms Instructor Course. This course teaches candidates preparation, delivery, and documentation of training, coaching methodologies, adult learning theory, effective and efficient combat marksmanship techniques, and so much more.

If you have been thinking about instructing, or if you are an instructor looking to push your skills to the next level then you should be seriously considering attending this training. It has been years since Tom has traveled to our neck of the woods, and while we plan on hosting Tom again, it may not be for this course.

Tom is one of Brent and Heather's biggest mentors and the knowledge he has is vast and deep. Even armed citizens who are looking for "more" can get a lot out of this class even if you aren't planning on teaching.

If you're looking for more information, or to sign up go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/three-day-fi****ms-instructor-development-course-tickets-166702173689?aff=ebdsoporgprofile and claim your spot before it's too late.

You can also visit www.rangemaster.com for more information on Tom, Lynn and the whole Rangemaster crew.

Questions? Stop by and see us at 8139 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002 or call 269-350-4494 today!

Stay tuned for more information on other upcoming guest instructors!

Three full days of intensive training in the classroom and on the range.

02/19/2023

Class Spotlight: Basic Life Support (BLS) for Provider

Top 5 reasons to take BLS:
1. You have a sense of responsibility to be prepared for all types of crises, yes, even the medical ones
2. You work in an environment that requires you to know how to help people in a variety of medical crises
3. You know that having the knowledge to do CPR or use an AED can be live saving
4. Your college program requires you to obtain the certification
5. Your job requires you to renew your credentials or obtain them for the first time

This course is the healthcare provider class. If you work in a healthcare environment or you are going to school for a healthcare field career you will more than likely find yourself needing this credential or needing to maintain it. We offer this course in two formats. You can take the full course with us from start to finish or you can schedule a skills session with us after completion of the American Heart Association's online course. Both are great options for this class.

For more information head to www.wolverinedefenseacademy.com or call 269-978-1525 or stop by 8139 Portage Rd., Portage, MI 49002 to talk to someone in person. We look forward to talking to you soon!

Wolverine Defense Academy offers Medical Classes (including BLS training), Fi****ms Classes, and Women's Self Defense Classes. We also have a gun store. Located in Portage, MI.

02/19/2023

Meet Cass Crago, a staff instructor and range safety officer on our team. Cass is the head of the women's interest group through Southern Michigan Gun Club, and a physical therapy assistant. Her knowledge of how the body works helps her while she is coaching shooters on the line.

Cass holds instructor credentials through the NRA and The Complete Combatant, and RSO credentials through the NRA and A Girl & A Gun (AG&AG). She is a three time attendee of the National AG&AG conference where she has trained with John Farnam, John Correia, Tatiana Whitlock, and others. In addition she has done continuing education with John Murphy, Lee Weems, and LouAnn Hamblin, and holds armorer credentials through G***k. She is an amazing asset to our range sessions because she is laid back and calm while imparting knowledge. Despite the calm exterior she's always ready for a celebration and high-five when things "click" for those she's working with.

You're most likely to find Cass helping with AG&AG events, beginner handgun, or concealed handgun classes. We love having her on the range and in the classroom with us, and look forward to seeing her continued growth and dedication to her craft as a coach and instructor.

Find out more about our courses at www.wolverinedefenseacademy.com or call 269-978-1525 to get more information today!