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American Small Arms Academy

Chuck Taylor – Director

For nearly three decades ASAA has been an acknowledged leader in the field of small arms weaponcraft. Its superior techniques and instructional methods have been credited with saving the lives of hundreds of law enforcement officers, military personnel and civilians alike. ASAA's success is primarily due to the expertise, innovations and uncompromising nature of its founder and director Chuck Taylor.

The author of four books and nearly 3000 magazine articles, the first Four Weapon Combat Master and creator of the Speed Rock, Tactical Reload and Ready Position, Taylor has been rated for over a decade as one of the four best trainers in the world. A decorated Vietnam Veteran, he's been involved in the training of dozens of police departments, tactical response teams for three Olympics, numerous well-known and covert military and police special operations units and thousands of civilians. In addition, his techniques have been adapted by the military of six European countries and are under evaluation by several others. His unique background, analytical ability and unflinching commitment to results have permitted him to develop an instructional program second to none.

Students attending an ASAA class will not find the latest "trendy and must do" techniques currently in vogue with a large number trainers and magazine writers. Many of these techniques are based on theory or competitive concepts, or even worse were devised to keep students entertained with slick looking, but irrelevant, drills or by the expending of large quantities of ammunition. What they will find is a training regiment that has been refined over the last 30 years with only one goal in mind - keeping our students alive and uninjured. Our techniques have been developed from Taylor's personal combat experience and his study of thousands of military and civilian shootings. They have been proven successful by the several hundred of his students, both civilian and military, who have been victorious in gunfights around the world. In today's society, to truly be the winner of a potentially deadly encounter, more than shooting and weapon handling skills are needed so ASAA courses also include appropriate reviews of the legal requirements to use deadly force, tactics, de-escalation, mental conditioning and much more.

ASAA's "system" approach to weaponcraft eliminates the need for students to remember different concepts for different weapons and greatly enhances their efficiency under stress. Its unique training methods consistently produce exceptional levels of performance from their students, both on the range and in actual gunfights. ASAA courses are taught in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, no boot camp attitudes, no overblown egos. Whether you're a novice shooter or have 30 years experience, male or female, armed civilian or police officer you'll find an ASAA class to fulfill your training needs. For more about ASAA's approach to fighting with firearms vs. some current trends see our "Myths and More" page.

 

Classes are not listed in the order they occur during the year (2010).


Concealed Carry Realities
- As part of the process to obtain a concealed carry permit, most states now require the applicant to complete some form of training, usually a NRA Basic Handgun Course or the equivalent. While these courses do teach the fundamentals of handgun operation and their safe handling on a target range, they do not come close to preparing the student for carrying a weapon in public. Inappropriate display (even unintentionally) or use of a weapon can result in consequences ranging from a simple loss of your permit to bankruptcy and/or prison time. CCR is an informal, one day seminar which combines material from both the 3 Day Defensive Handgun Course and Massad Ayoob's MAG40 to provide permit holders with an understanding of the skills - physical, tactical and intellectual - needed by those who carry a firearm for self-defense. Included are a wide variety of topics including weapon selection and carry techniques, the use of deadly force, shooting techniques, interacting with the police and much, much more. Includes both classroom and live fire range work.      

Instruction by ASAA Staff   Tuition $135    May 29    Aug 14    

  

Three-Day Defensive Handgun Course - This highly condensed course provides the student with a complete overview of the subject of combat handgunning. It is both the foundation of and prerequisite for all other ASAA handgun training and an introduction to the ASAA integrated approach to small arms usage. The class is suitable for shooters of all experience levels and employs techniques and tactics that were developed to be the most effective way to fight, not to excel in competition. Includes: when you can and cannot use deadly force for self defense, the myth of firepower, weapon and equipment selection and modification, ammunition selection, tactics, sight picture and alignment, evaluation of the currently popular grips and stances, the "Ready" position and why only one, presentation from the ready and holster, close range high speed shooting, pivots and turns, malfunction clearances, failure to stop drills, tactical and speed loading and why both are usually taught/used incorrectly. Live fire is from 3 to 15 meters. Includes approximately 6 hours of classroom and 18 hours range. All the classes listed below run Friday thru Sunday. A special class for those attending this year's MAG40 or past LFI1 graduates is described at the end of the "Ayoob" page. 

Instruction by ASAA Staff   Tuition $495   May 7 - 9    June 11 - 13    July 9 - 11    Aug 20 - 22    Oct 8 - 10


          

Intermediate Handgun Seminar - Takes graduates of the "Three Day" course to the next skill level and prepares them for ASAA's Advanced Handgun Course. The student's presentation and weapon handling techniques are honed and targets are shot to 25 meters. New techniques are introduced including the step back, speed rock, 180-degree pivot and dealing with multiple targets.

Instruction by ASAA Staff   Tuition $320   July 31 - Aug 1


Handgun Clinics - Limited to ASAA handgun course graduates - a full day of review and instruction at a minimal cost. Staff instructors tune the student's techniques while conducting ASAA drills at entry level through advanced time frames. Multiple targets, long range shooting, advanced techniques and weapon-handling drills are all addressed. Clinics held in non-daylight savings months include low light/night shooting.

Tuition $95   May 1    July 3    Oct 2    Nov 6    

Advanced Tactical
Handgun Seminar - Limited to 16 ASAA handgun course graduates, this two day training class covers numerous techniques used to deal with a wide variety of deadly force encounters. Scenarios range from dealing with a relatively simple multiple opponent threat to shooting in crowds, proper use of cover, shooting on the move, weapon recovery, one hand shooting and more.
 
 Instruction by Chuck Taylor & Staff   Tuition $400   
Sept 25-26


Defensive Shotgun Seminar
- Probably the most misunderstood of all the small arms, this one day seminar presents an overview of the practical application of the shotgun for personal and home defense. Includes pattern, penetration and accuracy testing with birdshot, buckshot and slugs. Field positions (standing, kneeling, sitting and prone) are covered along with engaging both single and multiple targets, partially obscured targets and more.

Instruction by ASAA Staff   Tuition $150    June 19

 

When considering the following rifle training be aware CT has an Assault Rifle law - possession of an unregistered assault rifle is a felony. See our link page for a list of banned rifles.

 
Tactical Rifle Seminar - A convenient weekend format that covers the techniques required to become both an effective rifle marksman and to master it's use for urban self-defense. Includes weapon handling, target engagement from 10 to 50+ yards, field positions, multiple targets, malfunction drills, shooting from cover and more. Most center fire rifles, semi auto, bolt or lever action are suitable. 

Instruction by ASAA Staff    Tuition $320   July 24 - 25  


Rifle Clinic - Limited to ASAA rifle course graduates - a full day of review and instruction at a minimal cost. Format includes dealing with both "tactical" and "precision" scenarios. Weather dependent.

Instruction by ASAA Staff    Tuition $100    April 24   Oct 16


 

ASAA classes being held at other locations around the country can be found by going to their web site.

 

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