Pistol 2

I attended Pistol Classes 1 & 2 plus Rifle Classes 1-3 all in one week so I’m just going to spam this review across all 5 site pages. The Good: - There was much useful information. Possibly too much doing all these classes at once in my case. Much was like martial arts instruction. Easy to note down, hard to put into practice instantly. I struggled in part due to my grossly outdated Army training. More adept shooters or those quick on the uptake will likely be fine. - The instructors Paul Perkerson and Sam Houston were excellent instructors, playing a “good cop/bad cop” type interaction with the students. - The two provided incredibly professional, highly knowledgable and highly proficient instruction. The offered no instruction mere opinion. They backed every instructional statement with facts, logic, or at least prior real world experience. They often said “This is not what I accept as a good technique but I know real world professionals who do it and excel.” I didn’t hear them once say “I don’t know.” But I’m absolutely sure if they didn’t know they’d happily tell us. - To my Big Army eye, they ran the range incredibly informally. Yet for that, it remained quite safe for students and instructors alike throughout. - They provided a superb balance between treating students like adults but at the same time not letting them get slack on safety. Both were funny and personable but not so funny or so personable as to lose track of their mission or allow students to become unfocused. - The students with me were overall excellent company and willing to help with skills, information and gear. - Overall, despite me being on the struggle bus, it was a fun experience. Not so Good: - Some of the gear linked in the course requirements is really an implied requirement. For example, I didn’t need a WPS belt. One of the best students just ran his holster off his leather belt. I also didn’t need a full retention holster. I got a SafariLand holster cops to keep crooks from stealing their gun. Its multiple locks plagued me during every quick draw segment. Any kydex-type holster that covers the trigger guard will do. I’ll add that the magazine carriers had two settings: Hold the magazine so tight you had to muscle it out or fall out if you breathe hard. No in between. Maybe they wear in but I gave mine and the WPS away to the guy with the leather belt. - WPS provided no real info on the range until the very last minute via email. And that just a time to show up and an address that wasn’t quite exact. The range was really super developed and had its own website with all the information anyone could reasonably want. The link could’ve been sent at least a week prior. - Warning, this is an unfair critique: So much was taught in such a little amount of time students couldn’t always learn it all properly. Follow on instruction built on those skills so students got acclimated to just fudging the foundational skills they hadn’t honed to practice the new ones. This proved frustrating for both students and instructors. Though I don’t know what can be done to fix it. That said, most of the training can be replicated in your home. So if you have a decent memory and/or take good notes you can pick it all up eventually with practice. Addenda: Much of the pistol class is a subliminal Glock advertisement. You can get way with a Beretta or 1911 but it’s easier to just bring a Glock or Glock clone. Part of the class is Glock style trigger management which will help. Running iron sights on your pistol is OK. But if you can afford it and get decent using them, a red dot is a good addition. As for rifles, it’s best to bring a an actual AR-15 style rifle and not a ban state compliant version. Bring one with as short a barrel as you can get away with and no added junk such as lights, lasers, bayonets, etc. Or do add all that but expect a good arm work out holding it up at various ready positions. LPVOs proved awkward, heavy, and not needed at the ranges we fired at. Just bring a red dot. Make sure whatever optic you bring is very solidly attached. If you can afford to buy enough magazines to load all the ammo required, do so. Or get a handy device to load what magazines you have. If it’s going to be dry or hot wear a canteen you can sip on. Breaks are kind of rare and short but the sun never lets up. Knee pads are important. I didn’t want to buy a new set of pants for the WPS insert versions. So I got away with using hex padded sports knee cuffs and so long as I didn’t drive my knee on to a rock, they worked. If you foresee yourself doing more vigorous kneeling, buy real knee pads. This review is from early 2025. Things may be different when you read it.

Completed both Pistol 1&2 last week in Defuniak Springs, FL. I knew this training was going to be Great based on the WP videos I had streamed and the reviews I had read. The two days far exceeded "Great" due to the training that was delivered by Paul, Josh and Sam! We had, I think they said, their largest Pistol 1 and 2 class ever but it did not detract from training in any way. The instructors expertly delivered their instruction and individually assisted those needing help where needed. They are simply the best! I recommend Pistol 1 to everyone no matter how long you've been shooting because the "Fundamentals" taught and reviewed were invaluable. I look forward to Rifle 1&2 in 2025 with this great crew.

Took Pistol 1,2 & Rifle 1,2,3 in Immokalee. Pistol 2 was an amazing experience. After correcting a few of my bad habits in pistol 1 I did things with a pistol I never though I would be able to do. Paul, Sam, Josh are on point. The instruction is so easy to understand. I especially liked the scenarios we ran through with UTM guns. It was cool to get to simulate a defense shooting scenario. You will not regret taking this training. It was so good I will likely take it again.

As I reviewed in Pistol 1….this was a life changing experience for me! Paul, Sam and Josh are amazing. I highly recommend taking Pistol 1 to set the framework for this class regardless of your level of experience. Pistol 2 builds off the lessons in Pistol 1. You can see that John and Paul have developed a system that gradually builds up your skill levels over the course of their training. The force-on-force segment was awesome and eye opening. By Day Two you build a bond with your trainers and they really start honing in on your personal development. I wish I had the time with my work schedule to do all three days. I WILL be back for more Warrior Poet classes and intend to make all of them part of my annual training routine. Thank you Paul, Sam and Josh for an amazing experience!!!!!!!!!!

Just finished taking pistol 1&2 and rifle 1,2&3 with Paul & Josh and all I can say is what an amazing week. Not only the skills that was taught with both pistol and rifle but the way they teach is so easy to understand. Paul is great at what he does and would highly recommend any class he teaches. I wasn't expecting Josh to be there but what a treat to have him there. Josh is a great instructor and when you get Paul and Josh together they make the class so entertaining and fun at the same time they are teaching you all the fundamentals and advanced skills to become a better protector. If you're holding off on taking these classes like I was just because you want "John Lovell" as an instructor I'm here to say Paul and Josh were absolutely great. I would like to train with the man himself John Lovell also but I would train anything Paul and Josh teach and feel just as warm and tingly inside as I would with John Lovell. Don't wait just sign up and do it you will not regret it !!

Sam, Josh, and Paul make an excellent team. Their weapon skills are only surpassed by their teaching skills. I highly recommend this course and these instructors.

My 2nd day with Paul and Sam. It was phenomenal training for an armed citizen. After doing the pistol 1 with them, I knew I was with the right instructors, to learn to be a better protector. The "Thought process" exercise was mind blowing. It was a simulated "force on force" scenario. This is an amazing exercise. I recommend you have your hand up, and volunteer for this exercise. In this exercise you will learn things, you Never knew about yourself! Thank you Paul and Sam. eddiebeans

My second day with Paul and Sam running the pistol, and my second day not just learning, but having fun while learning. Even after 32 years of using/carrying professionally, there was something new to learn. I strongly recommend you do Pistol 1 first!

Finished Pistol 2 in Wiggins CO yesterday with our instructors Paul and Sam. I can honestly say that after having taken pistol 1, rifle 1 and rifle 2 last year with John, this was my favorite class so far. My expectations were met and surpassed and without a doubt the training I received was well worth the investment. I look forward to planning a trip to GA for the next step. Big thanks to Paul and Sam both and hope to train with y’all again.

I was completely floored with the amount of training I received from this course. Paul really hit this out of the park, along with Rocko. Both instructors were very knowledgeable and were able to teach that knowledge in a easily retainable way. The force on force scenario really opened my eyes to how much you have to be aware of your surroundings and have a plan A all the way to Z. I will be back as a repeating customer. #battlegnome #WARPOET