I just had my first training session with Ben last Sunday and I have to rate it top notch all the way man. It is true, the training is oriented more towards technique and the mindset but don't be surprise if you go through quite a bit of ammo. Put it this way, if you want to shoot a lot of rounds make sure you bring plenty of magazines for your pistol that way your are not slowing yourself down. I feel the only reason I didn't shoot the 200 rounds I brought was because I didn't want to slow down loading the mags.
I will say that this training may not be for everyone, but everyone should at least try it out. It is mentally intense and realistic. He will get in your face, and he expects you to get on his. When he pushes you, you push him back. At first, it may seem a little like the first day of boot camp, a little like hyping yourself up, a little bit shocking but you'll eventually realize that in order to kill the enemy there will come a line in the sand and if you don't want to be in the morgue hours later then you better have the mindset to cross it.
The techniques are simple, straight forward and effective. There is no bs and the scenario will always be worst case. I was really amazed at how much was covered in our two hour session, everything from the warrior mindset, to handgun, carbine, and transitioning between the two, clearing malfunctions, reloading and of course safety.
A couple of things that I did before hand that made the experience more worthwhile: First, I went to the range and shoot off a few hundred rounds and didn't clean my guns. My reasoning (worse case scenario) was that I was hoping to at least get some malfunction during the shooting portion of the training. I got one stove pipe on my XD (next time I'll throw it in mud) and no malfunctions on my DPMS. Next time I'll load my mags and throw a couple of snap caps here and there. Second and definitely the most important is brining an open mind with you. Without that you will be limiting yourself and wasting your money.
I have to say that Ben's training is really not about making money for him. He is passionate about passing on skills that may save others lives. I found him to be very open minded and great instructor that is able to get the material across clearly. In fact, I have already booked a second two hour session with him the Sunday after next. This time I'll be bringing my son along.
Overall, I highly recommend Ben and Israeli Combat Training. In fact, I’m looking forward to continuing to train with him least once a month. Firearms’ training anywhere is expensive but doesn’t charge extra for a second person during a private session. So if any of you guys would like to split a session let me know. I’m up for it and usually available Sunday mornings.
Ed Sanchez
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Over the past several months I've had the opportunity to train with Ben Goldstein, the founder and head instructor of Israeli Combat Training. My prior training consisted of the basic handgun carry course required to meet Tennessee's requirements for the concealed handgun carry permit. It took little time with Ben for me to understand that the requirements for carrying a handgun afforded me very little actual knowledge in self-protection.
In the course of our training we were introduced to Krav Maga (Israeli hand to hand combat) and a few fundamental moves that would circumvent an attack; little did I know at the time that these very moves would serve to save my life. My test would not come during a training class - it would come at the wrong end of a pistol from a very drunken man . As Ben had taught me in training, the first thing I did was redirect the weapon and lock my arm out to control the weapon until the situation was diffused by the family members of the assaulting man. Two shots had been fired - there was no reason for me not to believe the third shot was for me as the pistol was being pointed in my face at the moment I reacted with the Krav Maga technique.
Instead of a funeral for my family to attend during Thanksgiving - we all enjoyed turkey and gave thanks - thanks to Ben.
W.M. Memphis TN
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Ben,
I want to say again how much I got out of the training this past weekend. Both in spite of the weather and because of the weather. Because of the weather I know my gear and weapons work under adverse conditions. I also know that optical sights are not exactly optimal for such conditions. I was forced to shoot both eyes open as I could see the red dot but not thru the sight due to fogging. I was very surprised at how affective shooting on the running advance was. It looked fairly goofy to me at first but I could not argue with results. Every guy out there was getting hits on target at a dead run first time out of the gate. I don’t imagine it looks goofy at all from the receiving end.
I was also quite surprised at my own results from the position you called gun two. Most firearms instructors here refer to the position as the Isosceles, because the arms and torso create a triangle with two sides of equal length. That position historically has not been very effective for me. After evaluating my performance overnight I believe the act of aggressively punching the weapon to the target causes an unconscious or instinctively more rigid weapon platform. The act of ramming the weapon out to full arms length cause me to (without conscious thought) lock the shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Where if one simply takes a two handed grip and casually brings the weapon up on target there is no instinctive rigidity. One is prone to be some what relaxed at all the joints I mentioned. One would have to make a conscious effort to lock the joints.
I was very excited by the close quarters elbow thrust and retention exercise. It is simple and practical. Even if the strike is poorly executed, the elbow arm position and deep crouch prevent an attacker is prevented from bear hugging you and pinning your arms. Furthermore the attacker cannot see what you are doing with your gun hand since your body shields it from view. They literally cannot see what is coming until you pull the trigger.
As you can see I took a lot more away from this than one thing.
You asked me to email you a synopsis of the incident I described to you that involved the very technique you described during the training session (it really DOES work!)
One night in the mid-eighties, an officer on my department made traffic stop for a minor moving violation. The officer did not know it, but the driver had outstanding felony warrants. Even though he had no reason to believe this was anything more than a normal contact, he used best practice tactics on his approach to the driver’s door. Ticket book under his left armpit, flashlight held in his left hand with the butt resting on his shoulder, gun hand free. As he got to the door and started to address the driver, the driver turned in his seat and was bringing a revolver to bear on the officer. The officer tossed his flashlight at the attack’s face as he backpedaled and drew his own weapon. I say tossed because he was startled to the point that he was not able to put any energy behind the throw. If he had hit the perp, it might hurt a little but it was far from being able to do any injury. Never the less, it was effective. The perp was so surprised that he actually dropped his gun and caught the flashlight. He suddenly found himself disarmed and looking down the business end of the officer’s pistol.
Mark Blackwood
