Rob and Matt Haught – 2 Day Shotgun Skills Course https://sym-tac.com/
I have always been fond of the 12-gauge shotgun not only for law enforcement but hunting and home defense. I truly believe that the shotgun is an under-utilized tool for many applications. I have heard the names of Rob and Matt Haught for years and how they teach the “gospel of the gauge”. I have wanted to train with them for some time. I reached out to Matt and got the ball rolling and dates were set. Another great thing about this course, is my daughter was able to attend her first ever course of instruction and not to mention, her first time ever shooting a 12-gauge. I couldn’t be prouder.
Equipment:
Beretta 1301 Tactical – Magpul Stock, Aridus Industries adapter, Magpul forend, with the Nordic Components mag extension equipped with a Holosun 503C dot.
Beretta 1301 Tactical – Magpul SGA stock, equipped with a Holosun 507C dot – Daughter’s gun
Beretta A300 Patrol – Iron Sights
Gcode Assaulters Systems Belt – Two Belt Set-up
Safariland 6390RDS Holster
Staccato XC with Aimpoint Acro P2 and Factory Magazines
This class was made up of many different folks from various lines of work. We had some LE folks, prior military, competition shooters, LE Rep from Beretta, and folks that just like to shoot. Class make-up of two females and 12 males. Firearms ranged from Beretta 1301, A300, Benelli, Ithaca, Mossberg, and Remington 870’s. The predominant gauge was the 1301. I did bring my 870 just in case. We did have one gun go down during the first part of the TD1, a Benelli, but with Brownells being so close, the purchase of some parts (mag tube spring I believe) and the gun was back up TD2. Ammunition varied and most guns ran very well. I was dumb and had a metric load of old 12 gauge that I needed to burn up. Many magnums in the bunch.
Location:
Big Springs Shooting Complex – 50 Yard Range
Weather:
TD1 – Started at 52 degrees with a light wind and we finished the day in the lower 60’s with a 15 mile per hour wind. It was partly cloudy, and you really could not ask for a better day on the range.
TD2 – Started out 65 degrees and ended with a high of 86. Light wind of 10 to 15 and sunny. It was an even better day, until we all left the range. We were all hit by one of the biggest hailstorms that I have seen in a while, not to mention, being stuck in a vehicle during it. I would guess most vehicles that were hit sustained between 5 and 10K in damage. It was nuts.
TD1
The class started out with Rob and Matt doing an introduction and brief bio on experience and how the course came about along with each person attendings bio. Rob went into how the course was designed and where everything originated in regard to the techniques taught. It was interesting to hear the origination of the course and the many alphabet agencies that used him for the teachings of the shotgun. Rob made sure that each LE person in the course had a solid understanding of the why’s and what to teach for their folks. The biggest thing he stated about learning the shotgun, is recoil management, close quarters and keeping the gun loaded.
Rob then got into the “push pull” technique with the shotgun. It was explained and demonstrated dry then we made our way to the range. The first drills were position based for the push pull and conducted dry while he and Matt walked the line to touch each shooter. Our day was spent in two relays.
Rob and Matt had a system down to learning the technique and being able to reach every shooter on the line for personal coaching and instruction. The first live fire drills conducted were the bread and butter of the push pull and allowing each student to not only learn the concept but feel the difference and understand the push pull. This was excellent as each shooter had to learn/unlearn things that were taught prior and showed how the system truly works to make the shotgun a fun tool to use.
The remainder of TD1 consisted of ready positions, low ready, high ready, and CQB. Matt and Rob demonstrated each position, followed by the what’s and why’s behind them. We then transitioned in turns, 90 and 180 degrees and you found out if you completed the push pull properly. The gauge lets you know. Like any other system, if you do not follow the techniques, your performance tends to decline.
This was then followed up with reloading the shotgun. Rob and Matt covered the in-position, over the top, underneath and the violin method of reloading. I have always been a fan of the violin method but did find that in certain instances, the overtop was beneficial, and at times, faster depending on what you were trying to accomplish with the gun.
TD1 was all put together with a final drill, the Boot, Scoot and Load drill. All I will say about the drill is load management is key. If you want to understand the drill, sign up for a course near you. You will not be disappointed for sure.
TD2
Started TD2 off with the goals and objectives for the day followed by a range safety brief like TD1. After a short conversation and recap of TD1, we hit the range.
The class started out with a warm-up and refresh of the push pull method. This consisted of 25 rounds and the nice thing, at the end of the class, you get what this warm-up is and not to mention, it is a way that you can not only structure you practice sessions but use as a learning tool for those you are teaching (if you are in LE) or someone new to the shotgun. It is an excellent warm-up drill that includes many things. Like stated above, if you want to know what it is, take a class.
After the warm-up drill, we moved into the demonstration and explanation of the CQB position. This shooting position was not new to me; however, this was the first time that I had utilized this position with a shotgun. Let me tell, it is more than capable. This position was not only shot with birdshot, but slug and buckshot. Utilizing the push pull method made this an extremely effective and capable method. This was followed by slug select drills and the importance, not to mention, the why behind the techniques. We then broke for lunch.
Following lunch, we shot the challenge drill for a coin. This drill encompasses everything that is learned to this point in the class and let me tell you, it is spicey. It is shot on an IDPA target and is only 5 slugs. Again, I am not going to give the drill away but hot damn, this thing is spicey. Its 5 seconds for a semi-auto and 6 for a pump gun. It is shot one at a time, peer pressure is always good, and I started the class off with a 7 second run, clean. A proud dad moment, my daughter did it in 9.12 seconds. At this class, only 4 people have earned the coin thus far.
After shooting the challenge drill, we moved into shotgun to pistol transitions. We all know that at times, something will fail in which we need to employ another weapon system. Obviously, a sling on your shotgun is an important tool and will aid in this adventure but other methods were explored. The last thing that was covered was shooting on the move. Rob and Matt explained and demonstrated their methodology of shooting while moving while providing some history to it. We conducted some drills that encompassed the shooting aspect, moving aspect, and putting it all together with some reloading as well.
Rob and Matt Haught put together a comprehensive package when it comes to the gauge. Their course is well thought out and they reach each student. Watching them demo and how they talk/speak about the gauge is impressive. They truly have a passion for teaching the “gospel of the gauge” and it shows. Rob and Matt are very personable people and a pleasure to host. If you are looking for a comprehensive shotgun package, reach out to them. You will not be disappointed. We shot roughly 500 rounds of 12 gauge in two days, and it was a pleasure each day. Each and every student learned new things about the gauge and its practical use during this course. I unfortunately see the 12-gauge shotgun leaving the LE world with the patrol rifle programs but I truly believe they should reconsider. The shotgun is a versatile tool and that when property applied, make the shooter someone to contend with. Please check Symtac Consulting out for your shotgun needs.
