Basic Defensive Rifle/Intermediate Defensive Rifle – One Day/Two Day (Seelyville, IN)

This will be a back-to-back running of our Basic Defensive Rifle and Intermediate Defensive Rifle courses. Participants may choose to take one or both courses as their skills, background, and interests dictate. Please note the prerequisites for these courses as these courses are not appropriate for those new to firearms.

Note that the overview for Basic Defensive Rifle appears first followed by the overview for Intermediate Defensive Rifle.

Basic Defensive Rifle Overview

Prerequisites: Revere’s Riders Basic Rifle or similar class is strongly suggested.

If you have not attended Basic Rifle, then you should be able to reliably hit a 10″ paper plate from the standing position out to 25 yards, kneeling at 50 yards, and prone at 100 yards. You should be able to consistently hit a 3×5 index card at 15 yards while standing. You should be familiar with basic operation of your carbine. If you cannot meet the accuracy suggestion then you may be frustrated at this class and be better served learning the fundamentals of marksmanship at a Basic Rifle clinic.

Estimated Ammunition Required: 400 rounds

Rifle Requirements: This course is conducted as an NRA America’s Rifle Challenge clinic and, as such, the AR-15 is an ideal rifle to bring. However, any safe semi-automatic carbine can be used (Mini-14, AK-47, Tavor, etc.).

Required Equipment: Please review our suggestions on appropriate Basic Defensive Rifle equipment and plan to bring the following:

• at least four (4) magazines for your carbine (more is better)
• mag pouches to hold your rifle magazines (chest rig or gun belt)
• sling for your rifle (a 2-point adjustable sling is recommended although a 1-point sling will work fine if that is your preference; the US GI sling is probably not ideal for this event)
• a way to take notes
• hearing protection
• eye protection
• plenty of your preferred method of hydration (both plain water and something to replace electrolytes you will lose via sweating is ideal)

Optional Equipment: The following equipment is not required but may come in handy at the event:

• case for your rifle
• hat with a brim (to deflect flying hot brass)
• knee/elbow pads (we may shoot from kneeling and other positions)
• folding chair
• lunch
• snacks
• sunscreen and/or bug spray

Basic Defensive Rifle Overview: Attendees will experience shooting in multiple firing positions at varying distances and will learn modern defensive shooting skills on the AR platform. All firing in this course will be within 200 yards with a focus on the close quarters environment from contact to 50 yards. You will get a workout with all the skills needed to run the carbine from 7-100 yards. At some venues we may work out to the battlesight zero of your carbine (200-300 yards) but the focus is on short range marksmanship. Topics will include the following:

• Rules for safe gun handling & range rules
• Carbine parts and operation & ammunition
• Shooting Fundamentals
  • Firing Stance: Standing
  • Five steps to firing each shot
  • Zero rifles as required
• Situational Awareness and Scanning
• Rapid Magazine Changes (Tactical Reloads)
• Short Range Marksmanship Techniques
  • Tailoring the five steps to firing each shot to the close quarters environment
  • Controlled Pairs
  • Recoil Management
• Clearing Malfunctions/Stoppages
  • Emergency/Speed Reloads
  • Failure to Fire
  • Failure to Eject
  • Double Feed
• Special Subjects (most one-day clinics will cover only a few of these — two day clinics will cover most or all)
  • Zeroing Carbines & Rifles
  • Carbine Trajectory and Zero Issues
  • Barricades
  • Movement
  • Kneeling Position
  • Prone Position
  • Use of the sling to support shooting stability
  • Natural Point of Aim
  • Firing from retention
  • Field Stripping & Cleaning the AR-15
• Classic WW2 Carbine Qualifier
• Revere’s Riders Carbine Skills Test

Intermediate Defensive Rifle Overview

Prerequisites: Revere’s Riders Basic Defensive Rifle and Basic Pistol or similar classes are strongly suggested.

If you have not attended Basic Defensive Rifle, then you should be able to reliably hit a 10″ paper plate from the standing position out to 25 yards, kneeling at 50 yards, and prone at 100 yards. You should be able to consistently hit a 3×5 index card at 15 yards while standing. You should be familiar with basic operation of your carbine. If you cannot meet the accuracy suggestion then you may be frustrated at this class and be better served learning the fundamentals of marksmanship at a Basic Rifle clinic.

Estimated Ammunition Required: 400 rounds of rifle ammunition and 250 rounds of pistol ammunition

General Required Equipment: You should plan to bring the following to the event:

• a way to take notes
• hearing protection
• eye protection
• plenty of your preferred method of hydration (both plain water and something to replace electrolytes you will lose via sweating is ideal)
• clothing appropriate for the weather (loose fitting clothing, especially around the neck, is discouraged as hot brass can lodge against the skin and cause a burn)

General Optional Equipment: The below equipment is not required, but you may find it useful during the course:

• magazine dump pouch
• case for your rifle
• case for your pistol
• hat with a brim (to deflect flying hot brass)
• knee/elbow pads (we may shoot from kneeling and other positions)
• folding chair
• lunch
• snacks
• sunscreen and/or bug spray

Rifle Requirements: This course is conducted as an NRA America’s Rifle Challenge clinic and, as such, the AR-15 is an ideal rifle to bring. However, any safe semi-automatic carbine can be used (Mini-14, AK-47, Tavor, etc.).

Required Rifle Equipment: Please review our suggestions on appropriate Basic Defensive Rifle equipment and plan to bring the following:

• at least four (4) magazines for your carbine (more is better)
• two (2) mag pouches to hold your spare rifle magazines (chest rig or gun belt)
• sling for your rifle (a 2-point adjustable sling is recommended although a 1-point sling will work fine if that is your preference; the US GI sling is probably not ideal for this event)

Pistol Requirements: Pistols should be of a modern, drop safe design.

Older single action pistols manufactured before the 1980s and lacking a transfer bar safety are the most common type of pistol that lack drop safe design features, as do some military surplus imports from Eastern bloc countries and Taurus PT-series pistols not fixed during an international safety recall in 2015. These pistols may discharge if dropped and pose a potential safety hazard to our volunteers and students, and are not permitted. If you have concerns about the safety features of your pistol you should have it inspected by an armorer or gunsmith before class.

The following are a good set of guidelines for an appropriate pistol for this event:

• a medium-frame or large-frame pistol (e.g., Glock 19/Glock 17 or similar)
• make sure your pistol is in good working order; if in doubt, have it checked by a qualified gunsmith or armorer. A pistol that malfunctions constantly will get you plenty of practice addressing malfunctions but not much practice with the drills
• leave the brand new pistol you bought the day before the event at home

If you have any questions concerning the suitability of your pistol for this course, please contact the Event Director.

Required Pistol Equipment: Please review our suggestions on appropriate Defensive Pistol equipment and plan to bring the following:

• magazines or speed loaders: bring at least THREE (more is better, especially if you are using a pistol with a capacity of less than 10 rounds)
• holster: a strong side OWB holster that does not collapse when your pistol is drawn (no appendix, ankle, shoulder or small-of-back holsters). Your holster MUST hold your firearm securely without letting it move around on your hip; this will necessitate a holster that attaches at TWO POINTS to your gun belt; your holster should have sufficient retention to keep your firearm secure if you are rolling around on the ground.
• gun belt: you will have your pistol on your hip for the entire day. It will seem heavier as the day goes on and a good, sturdy gun belt will minimize that feeling. A standard belt isn’t going to cut it here; spend a couple of dollars on a quality gun belt if you don’t already have one.
• two (2) mag pouches to hold your spare pistol magazines

Intermediate Defensive Rifle Overview: This class is moderately physically demanding. We will be on our feet much of the day, moving between various positions on the range. We will be shooting from different positions throughout the day.

Please contact the event director if you intend to bring a different type of firearm other than an AR-15; we can probably accommodate learning on your preferred platform but want to ensure you will not be frustrated.

The Spirit of 1776

Picking up where “The Midnight Ride” concludes, the Spirit of 1776 traces the first full year of the American war for independence. From the high point of the Evacuation of Boston to the lows of early winter of 1776, follow the Continental Army as they are forced to flee across New York and New Jersey. Learn about the nearly insurmountable challenges they faced and the hope, faith and daring that pulled Victory out of certain defeat.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to face down a huge amphibious armada invading New York City, shiver around a campfire reading about “summer soldiers and sunshine patriots,” or gamble it all on a desperate crossing of the Delaware River for “Liberty or Death” then you need to hear the Spirit of 1776.

This exciting tale will be woven throughout the day’s marksmanship events.

Additional Event Information

Some events may have special instructions. Be sure to include any full distance opportunities for two-day events here.

Additional Range Information

Any additional range information not contained in the “venue” section…