Graham Combat?

ConcealedXDm · September 7th, 2009, 12:32 AM

I am going to be signing up for my first defensive pistol training. I was going to travel a ways and take a class from the Firearms Academy of Seattle. They give a good description of the class and what to look forward to. Just today I stumbled on a class that is going to be put on at a gun club much closer to where I live. The class is put on by Graham Combat. I have looked at there website and still don't know what to expect. I haven't called the Gun club to ask but I wanted to ask here first. Has anyone taken a class from or heard anything about either the Firearms Academy of Seattle or Graham Combat? Thanks.

ranburr · September 7th, 2009, 01:03 AM

Never heard of the guy. His website is kind of goofy and he list no bio. He may be a great instructor, or, he may be a wannabe joke. With all the known instructors out there, why try this guy?

Bark'n · September 7th, 2009, 02:25 AM

Firearms Academy of Seattle has a good reputation.

Graham Combat, I have never heard of. I agree his website is kind of "cheesy" looking and strikes me as geared towards the mall ninja crowd. With that said, I could be way, way off base and certainly would not want to malign the program based merely off my opinion of his website. That would be totally unfair.

Bottom line is a bio and credentials mean everything, and if he has any, he certainly needs to get them up on his website as soon as possible. The two letters of recommendation from officers in the Army and Marine Corps may or may not be legitimate.

Before I laid down my hard earned cash for his program, I would do a little more research into his background and certifications.

BikerRN · September 7th, 2009, 03:05 AM

Of the two schools you are considering I can tell you that while I have not trained with Marty and Gila Hayes of Firearms Academy of Seattle, they have a great reputation.

I've never heard of the other school. Not hearing or knowing about them doesn't mean they aren't a good school. All it means to me is that before I put down my hard earned cash money I want to be assured that I will be getting what I paid for. That's where reputations come in.

When you consider the cost you will probably find that the schools with the better repuattion aren't all that exspensive when compared to the lesser known quantity.

Biker

psychophipps · September 8th, 2009, 08:36 PM

Graham was apparently an Air Marshal for a while and has worked with and/or trained a lot of people in various high-speed/low-drag military and LE circles. He developed the FACTS target that is rapidly gaining more and more acceptance with military and LE agencies. His main contribution, IMO, is the Graham Method of using a flashlight with a handgun via the Surefire Combat Rings. It's the only tactical flashlight method I've seen that is specifically designed as a combat method and allows for both hands to be on a handgun in the typical two-handed combat grip while you also hold a ready flashlight in-line with the muzzle.

Not sure how much of a true-blue badboy he is but Surefire seems to be humping this guy's leg pretty hard as of late if the last two issues of Combat Tactics is any indication.

greenLED · September 8th, 2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bark'n

Firearms Academy of Seattle has a good reputation.

I'd stick with the known players.

VR4 · September 9th, 2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConcealedXDm

I am going to be signing up for my first defensive pistol training. I was going to travel a ways and take a class from the Firearms Academy of Seattle. They give a good description of the class and what to look forward to. Just today I stumbled on a class that is going to be put on at a gun club much closer to where I live. The class is put on by Graham Combat. I have looked at there website and still don't know what to expect. I haven't called the Gun club to ask but I wanted to ask here first. Has anyone taken a class from or heard anything about either the Firearms Academy of Seattle or Graham Combat? Thanks.

The Graham Combat class is being held a the NWSA 5 blocks away from my house here on Whidbey Island. From what I've been told Graham class is a good class to take. I think Handguns or Tactical handguns the mag did a artical about his classes. I was going to take the class but have the IDPA postal match to attend to.

ConcealedXDm · September 9th, 2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR4

The Graham Combat class is being held a the NWSA 5 blocks away from my house here on Whidbey Island. From what I've been told Graham class is a good class to take. I think Handguns or Tactical handguns the mag did a artical about his classes. I was going to take the class but have the IDPA postal match to attend to.

That was the class I was lookin in to. I live on Fidalgo Island and was really leaning towards taking the Seattle Firearms class in Arlington. I wish there would be a little substance on the Graham Combat site about what is going to be covered, how long the days are, what is needed to bring, that kind of thing. Although great for some people, I don't want to show up for a class that isn't challenging and worth my time and money.

VR4 · September 9th, 2009, 09:04 PM

The difference in the 2 are at the GC class he teaches you how to defend yourself with what you got be it a flash light, pin , knife or gun which will be covered in the class. I think the FS class just shows you how to use your gun in a situation. If you would like more info on the GC class call Jim Till a he is going, supervising the class and is a NWSA board member

Jim Till
Home: 360-739-6237
Work: 360-739-6237
Mobile: 360-739-6237

QKShooter · September 9th, 2009, 11:38 PM

"I provide a training experience that is second to none. If you are not fully satisfied I will refund your tuition in full."

Go and then decide if you're satisfied with what you were taught (or not) then if you are/were honestly/truthfully not satisfied - hold him to his word and get fully refunded.

Report back and let us know how it went for you.

September 7th, 2009, 12:32 AM	#1
ConcealedXDm Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 29	Graham Combat? I am going to be signing up for my first defensive pistol training. I was going to travel a ways and take a class from the Firearms Academy of Seattle. They give a good description of the class and what to look forward to. Just today I stumbled on a class that is going to be put on at a gun club much closer to where I live. The class is put on by Graham Combat. I have looked at there website and still don't know what to expect. I haven't called the Gun club to ask but I wanted to ask here first. Has anyone taken a class from or heard anything about either the Firearms Academy of Seattle or Graham Combat? Thanks. __________________ "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch, Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote" --Benjamin Franklin "Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice." --Henry Ford

September 7th, 2009, 02:25 AM	#3
Bark'n VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 4,297	Firearms Academy of Seattle has a good reputation. Graham Combat, I have never heard of. I agree his website is kind of "cheesy" looking and strikes me as geared towards the mall ninja crowd. With that said, I could be way, way off base and certainly would not want to malign the program based merely off my opinion of his website. That would be totally unfair. Bottom line is a bio and credentials mean everything, and if he has any, he certainly needs to get them up on his website as soon as possible. The two letters of recommendation from officers in the Army and Marine Corps may or may not be legitimate. Before I laid down my hard earned cash for his program, I would do a little more research into his background and certifications. __________________ -Bark'n Semper Fi "The gun is the great equalizer... For it is the gun, that allows the meek to repel the monsters; Whom are bigger, stronger and without conscience, will prey on those of us who without one, would surely perish."

September 7th, 2009, 03:05 AM	#4
BikerRN VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: State of Discombobulation Posts: 3,768	Of the two schools you are considering I can tell you that while I have not trained with Marty and Gila Hayes of Firearms Academy of Seattle, they have a great reputation. I've never heard of the other school. Not hearing or knowing about them doesn't mean they aren't a good school. All it means to me is that before I put down my hard earned cash money I want to be assured that I will be getting what I paid for. That's where reputations come in. When you consider the cost you will probably find that the schools with the better repuattion aren't all that exspensive when compared to the lesser known quantity. Biker __________________ If I knew I was going to get in to a gunfight I most ceratinly wouln't bring a handgun or two, and I don't know any smart person that does.

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September 7th, 2009, 01:03 AM	#2
ranburr Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: TX Posts: 222	Never heard of the guy. His website is kind of goofy and he list no bio. He may be a great instructor, or, he may be a wannabe joke. With all the known instructors out there, why try this guy?

September 8th, 2009, 08:36 PM	#5
psychophipps Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington State Posts: 381	Graham was apparently an Air Marshal for a while and has worked with and/or trained a lot of people in various high-speed/low-drag military and LE circles. He developed the FACTS target that is rapidly gaining more and more acceptance with military and LE agencies. His main contribution, IMO, is the Graham Method of using a flashlight with a handgun via the Surefire Combat Rings. It's the only tactical flashlight method I've seen that is specifically designed as a combat method and allows for both hands to be on a handgun in the typical two-handed combat grip while you also hold a ready flashlight in-line with the muzzle. Not sure how much of a true-blue badboy he is but Surefire seems to be humping this guy's leg pretty hard as of late if the last two issues of Combat Tactics is any indication.

September 9th, 2009, 09:04 PM	#9
VR4 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: WA Posts: 35	The difference in the 2 are at the GC class he teaches you how to defend yourself with what you got be it a flash light, pin , knife or gun which will be covered in the class. I think the FS class just shows you how to use your gun in a situation. If you would like more info on the GC class call Jim Till a he is going, supervising the class and is a NWSA board member Jim Till Home: 360-739-6237 Work: 360-739-6237 Mobile: 360-739-6237

September 9th, 2009, 11:38 PM	#10
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,473	"I provide a training experience that is second to none. *If you are not fully satisfied I will refund your tuition in full."* Go and then decide if you're satisfied with what you were taught (or not) then if you are/were honestly/truthfully not satisfied - hold him to his word and get fully refunded. Report back and let us know how it went for you.