Personal Protection Training
Today’s Top Handgun, Shotgun And Rifle Training Tools
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As a weapons instructor and writer, I am often asked about what equipment I use or recommend. The questions have ranged from issues on daily equipment options to concerns about full load out tactical gear. With over 35 years of experience, many of the questions have revolved around the specifics of what I use myself. My goal here is to detail the reasons behind the items that have “passed the test”. I promise you, that I would NEVER recommend anything that I have not personally given a good going over. Since I first pinned on a badge in the mid 1970’s, I have been a “gear junkie”, as a Marine Sergeant Major friend of mine calls me. In this day and age of the Global War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Homeland Security concerns, it seems that everybody and their brother is making guns and gear for today’s “high speed operators”. In addition to our military, today’s law enforcement officers are also on the front lines. They share many of the same needs in equipment and firepower as their military counterparts. More than ever before, average American’s are coming to realize that they need to take responsibility for their own safety and that of their loved ones. Concealed carry permit holders are carrying more often. Homeowners are keeping a shotgun behind the bedroom door and many are choosing to arm themselves with semi-automatic carbines similar to what our military and law enforcement operators are using. The problem is that there is so much “stuff” on the market that it’s almost impossible to decide what is worth spending your money on and what might let you down when you need it most. It seems that all a body needs to do is label a product “tactical” and it sells like crazy. For some of us, especially in the military or law enforcement communities, the choices are made for us. However, now more than ever, there is a growing flexibility for operators and officers to select their own gear. Civilians can make their own choices, usually only restricted by their personal finances. So what is really worth spending your hard earned dollars on? What is the best choice for equipment that won’t fail when the chips are down? Let’s take a look… By the way, I’ll apologize now if you “pet” whatever isn’t included. Sorry. Before we begin, a little history might be in order. While I will be the first to admit that I don’t have all the answers, I do have some experience. After putting in 20 years, between active duty and the reserves, in the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman and Infantryman, I retired as an E-7 / Sergeant First Class. I also served an additional 15 years in civilian law enforcement, retiring as a Detective Sergeant. In addition, I spent 8 years as the Range Master for a major police academy, having been a Firearms Instructor since 1980. I hold a B.A. in Criminal Justice, a M.A. in Criminal Justice Management and a PhD in Criminal Justice Education. I share these details, not claiming to be an expert by any means, but more of a serious student. For our purposes here, my best credentials hinge on the fact that I have spent (and wasted) more money on junk guns and gear than just about anyone on the planet. Just ask my wife! My goal here is to share what my 35 years of experience has shown me to be some of the best choices on the market today. Needless to say, there are other good choices out there. However, what follows are my suggestions for equipping your personal “tactical toolbox”. By way of disclaimer, it should go without saying the mission requirements, department policies and personal needs will vary greatly and with them equipment choices. In addition, let me strongly remind us all that the best equipment is no good without high quality, on-going training and regular practice. I cannot stress this enough!
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About the Book
Some Comments from Len’s Students… “I want you to know that in my many years of being a student, you easily rank as the best teacher I have ever had. Your skill and patience has made me infinitely more comfortable with my weapons and myself. The next class you teach, I'll be there in a heartbeat. I'm sure you don't have to be reminded of the multitude of people you have touched and the positive impact you have had on firearms training overall.” Bob Patridge “Len has taught me to effectively and safely use a handgun and rifle and for that I will always be grateful. I look forward to the time I spend once or twice a week under his instruction. Len has created a wide range of firearms training programs out of virtually nothing and trained a sizeable and competent cadre of firearms instructors who, like me, greatly respects the man. He is engaged with his students and always approachable. Students who have shot much longer than me comment on his great depth of knowledge and ability to improve their shooting. He clearly loves to teach the material and his enthusiasm is contagious. He has a great sense of humor and makes his classes a lot of fun. But in spite of all of this the safety of his students is always his first concern.” Dr. Noel Pillman, MD “I am a retired police officer and a former police firearms instructor for over 20 years. I have been to numerous firearms training classes over the years but have not had any instructors more professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated to what they do then Len Breure.” Maurice Merabella "Len was my first real 'tactical' instructor a few years ago. He is a thorough, safe, and well versed instructor. His teaching style is unique in a way that clearly conveys lessons and makes them easy to understand for experienced shooters and novices alike. Len brings a wealth of prior "been there, done that" experience to the table that's an asset to his teaching, and is rarely found in many of the new instructors that have come to the arena since most states have enacted concealed carry laws. I continue to train with a variety of tactical instructors, and am always amazed by how much of the information Len taught me is still the foundation upon which I build." Mike VanMeeteren "I have been fortunate enough to receive numerous training courses that were being taught by Len Breure. In my opinion, Len is one of the best in the business! It is very rewarding to be able to learn from someone who has the experience and knowledge to take tactical training to the next level." Jim Bryant I first meet Len while taking my Minnesota Concealed Carry Course in 2005. Since that time I have taken every course that Len teaches. In my opinion Len is the consummate professional, who teaches with passion and an incredible degree of knowledge. I would strongly urge anyone interested in personal protection to take Lens courses. Mike Pingel
About the Author
As a professional, who for over 30 years has made his living on a daily basis with a weapon, Dr. Breure takes seriously the tactics and techniques that work in the real world. Below you will find a brief description of his credentials. Len has had the opportunity to collect a host of training, experience and awards. These include military “Expert” ratings with the M-1911 and M-9 pistols; M-16 and M-4 assault rifles; M-79 and M-203 grenade launchers; M-2 and M-60 machine guns; MP-5 sub-machine gun and M-14 battle rifle. Add to that instructor certification, as both an Infantry and Military Police Weapons Instructor and you have a solid foundation to build on for training and experience with Special Response Teams and Anti-Terrorist Operations. He was also able to round out his military career with Sniper Training, shooting on the Army Rifle Team, serving as a Lanes Training Observer/Controller and being a member of the New Iraqi Army Training Team. Early in his law enforcement career, Len was given the opportunity to become a firearms instructor. That led to becoming the Range Master of the county’s police academy, responsible for all the weapons training for the 19 agencies within the county. These duties progressed to positions as an Instructor Trainer for the New Jersey Police Training Commission, a Special Response Team Instructor and as Emergency Services Coordinator for his police department. Len has also had the opportunity to accumulate a number of degrees and honors in the academic realm. Graduating Summa Cum Laude three times, Len holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, a Master of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice Management and a Doctorate Degree in Criminal Justice Education. Over the years Len Breure has been involved in numerous types of firearms competition, earning N.R.A. expert ratings in High Power Rife and Practical Pistol, I.P.S.C. AA class rating and U.S. Army Excellence in Competition medals for both rifle and pistol. This pales in comparison, however, to having “seen the elephant” as Col. Jeff Cooper would say, on several occasions. He has also had the opportunity to train under (or conduct training with) some of this nation’s finest. These have included the F.B.I., D.E.A., B.A.T.F.E. and Department of Defense. Much of what he teaches and lives by today, comes from such noteworthy instructor’s as Chuck Taylor -American Small Arms Academy, Col. Jeff Cooper – Gunsite Academy, Massad Ayoob - Lethal Force Institute, John Farnam – Defense Training and many others. As an author, Dr. Breure had written 4 law enforcement training manuals and 5 military training manuals. He is also the author of “The Personal Protection Handbook” which is a comprehensive training manual for handgun shotgun and rifle. His second book, “Personal Protection Tools” deals with the guns and gear available to today’s Operator. In addition, Len has also written numerous articles for several gun magazines and police trade journals.