KL-Strategic HOW Course - Handgun Operation Workshop

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In Germany, combat or defensive shooting is prohibited for private individuals. However, the principles from the military sector are an enrichment for anyone interested in dynamic shooting, such as the sport disciplines of multi-distance shooting or IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation). When it comes to safety or quickly resolving weapon malfunctions, sports shooters often do not receive much information from their own club and usually have to acquire the knowledge themselves. This is where KL-Strategic comes in, filling this gap with practical courses. We were invited to take a closer look at the HOW (Handgun Operation Workshop).

KL-Strategic, founded in 2014, is a small company based in Niedernwöhren near Hannover. The owner and trainer of the HOW course we attended is Khi Pa Landgraf. Khi Pa (pictured below) has been active in the military sector for about 15 years, serving eight years in the DSO. He holds qualifications as a shooting instructor, operational trainer, explosive trainer, assault boat leader, leader of military groups, and of course civilian training qualifications as a shooting supervisor and instructor. During his service, he was involved in several foreign missions, giving him corresponding experience.

In addition to the handgun HOW, KL-Strategic also offers a HOW for semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and bolt action rifles, as well as Advanced courses (WHAT – Weapon handling advanced tactics) for the same firearm categories. Courses are also offered for authorities or MilSim airsoft players. There is a wide range of seminars available – from reconnaissance, marksman shooting, combat medic, team building to close quarters battle. The course names indicate that it's not just about shooting, but also about understanding processes and backgrounds. Additional trainers are brought in for all courses as needed, depending on course size or specialty. For those interested in the offerings, check out the homepage. Courses are mostly held in Germany, but Khi Pa is also willing to conduct the course at a participant's own club once the minimum course size of five people is met and there is an appropriate shooting range available. His company also offers the opportunity to conduct special courses tailored to customer needs.

For those who want more, they can also check out the equipment offered by Khi Pa, who also manufactures Kydex holsters for firearms, magazines, flashlights, knives, etc.

But back to the HOW-Pistol. The course took place on May 23, 2015 in Borgholzhausen near Osnabrück at Rifle Ranch. The chosen location had everything one could wish for: rental firearms for participants without their own weapon or for those who wanted to try out a different firearm (Glock, 1911, Walther, .22 caliber, etc.), a comfortable training room for the theoretical part, several indoor ranges (including the fully walkable 25m range we used), and very good culinary services in the form of cold drinks and simple dishes. The course fee includes a hot meal and a cold drink for lunch, along with course materials. Participants needing rental firearms and ammunition must pay extra, but the price is more than fair – 40 euros for 150 shots and a rental firearm for the entire course.

Participants were required to bring ear protection, shooting glasses, a holster, and magazine pouches. Of course, participants also had the option to contact Khi Pa beforehand if they did not have any of these items, and the necessary equipment would be provided.

The course started at 11:00 a.m., which was fair for participants with a longer commute. The participants were a mixed group: from sports shooters to personal protectors to complete beginners.

After a brief introduction and organizational details, the theoretical part of the course began immediately. The focus was on safety basics (safe gun handling), fundamental shooting elements such as stance, aiming, breathing, body position, etc., and the actual shooting process (identification, stance, aiming, firing, etc.). Typical weapon malfunctions and how to resolve them were also part of the theoretical section. Using a training weapon, Khi Pa vividly demonstrated common mistakes and how to do it correctly. Questions were professionally answered. At the end of the theoretical part, participants were reminded of the 5 Ws (Where, what, how many people, what type of injury, wait for questions) in case of an emergency, so that all participants could remain calm and react quickly in the event of an accident.

Following the theoretical part was a lunch break, during which there were lively discussions about what had just been learned. Afterwards, the course continued directly to the shooting range. Before live firing, each participant had the opportunity to put what they had just learned into practice. They practiced magazine changes, drawing and holstering the weapon, dry firing, etc. Khi Pa corrected any mistakes directly, while also ensuring that fun was not overlooked. Some exercises were demonstrated that could easily be used in home training, as well as some largely unknown but very simple and effective dry exercises with a partner (Buddy).

The actual shooting began with a very good warm-up drill. Khi Pa created a target that would be shot a total of 45 times. The first five shots were used to check the natural point of aim, followed by targets shot with two rounds each, practicing increasing difficulty levels of sight alignment, trigger control, rapid fire, and shooting from the holster. Also, all targets are available for free download on the KL-Strategic website, which we find very good!

Several drills followed, incorporating new elements with each one, building on what had already been learned. Close attention was paid to correction when necessary. For example, there was an exercise involving target transitions between two targets, which had to be shot repeatedly from the SUL or low ready position. Strict control of body posture, trigger discipline, and breathing allowed for rapid improvement in shooting accuracy for all participants.

Up to this point, all drills were non-time-critical and focused on clean execution. This was followed by some stress drills, such as shooting at various distances (similar to multi-distance shooting, BDS), starting with two shots at 20 meters from the holster and then moving forward to the 15-meter line in the low ready or SUL position. Two more shots were taken at the next target at the 15-meter line, and this continued to the 10-meter line and finally the 5-meter line. Shots were to be placed faster each time, and participants also had to maintain correct posture, stance, etc. Shots were not allowed to be fired while moving. These drills were conducted individually to maximize safety, allowing the others time to reload and watch.

The final practical exercise on the shooting range included everything previously learned along with the ultimate stress test: shooting at a target with multiple colors, shapes, and numbers – depending on the command, each target had to be shot twice and the shooter had to assume a standing, prone, or kneeling position. For example, a combination could be: "Kneeling Yellow, 3, Red, Triangle". Looking at the target would require going into the kneeling position, bringing the firearm from low ready or SUL to aim, taking one shot at the yellow triangle, one shot at the yellow circle, two shots at the yellow 3, one shot at the red triangle, one shot at the red C, one shot at the blue triangle, and one shot at the red triangle. If the participant ran out of ammunition, reloading was required, increasing the level of difficulty. This demonstrated the participants' good learning progress, but also highlighted that one day of course attendance is not enough. However, the increased challenges fueled each individual's ambition and enhanced the enjoyment of shooting.

Lastly, there was a brief debriefing in the seminar room with cold drinks and tactical snacks. Here, each participant could provide feedback, which was gladly received – although the criticism was quite scarce – everyone thoroughly enjoyed it and had either improved or learned something new that day. Participants were also shown various ways of efficient home training and practical tools for implementing what they had learned. They were then bid farewell by Khi Pa with a KL-Strategic patch, a participation certificate, a small drill booklet for reference, shooting targets, and a wide smile.

CONCLUSION: KL-Strategic offers an excellent basic course in pistol shooting. Trainer Khi Pa knows what he is doing practically and theoretically and conveys it with humor, seriousness, and skill. Anyone looking to deepen or refresh their basics or try something new is highly recommended to take the HOW course. Dates, prices, and information can be found on the KL-Strategic website. If you have any questions, you can also approach Khi Pa personally and will be promptly and courteously served. It is worth mentioning the complete compliance with laws during the course – only what is allowed for civilians is practiced here. Thumbs up for KL-Strategic!

UPCOMING DATES:

22.08.2015 – HOW for SL-Rifle

21.11.2015 – HOW for Shotgun

KL Strategic on the Internet: www.kl-strategic.com