I have trained with Tactical Response. Another reason for the muzzle up scan, is to keep the training consistent. The muzzle is up, and the gun in front of the face, during reloads and malfunction clearances to enable the shooter to keep his eyes on the target but also be able to see the gun to expedite loading and clearing the mafunction. The rifles are treated the same way. It all leads to consistency.

Like Haji said, it’s a way, not the way, to do it.

I’ve never trained with TR, so take this as the second hand info that it is, having had it explained to me by guys who have trained there. The reason to point it up is that there’s less chance of flagging anything with a muzzle. There’s other shooters, feet, marmosets, and protected dirt on the ground. It’s a calculated risk, I suppose, but I’d rather have somebody launch one straight up than into my foot because they were checking their six and not watching their muzzle. That said, the guys I shoot with (considerably better and more experienced shooters than the average) don’t flag anybody when their eyes are looking somewhere other than the direction of the muzzle. It’s a way. I’m not down with it, but it’s a way.

Go ask at GetOffTheX.com. They’ll tell you why.

If you need to “hear” the sounds of bullets whizzing by, pull butts on a .mil rifle range.

The mass acceptance of the photographer downrange by those taking the course is the key problem to mixing “blind” following with live fire exercises. Justifications like “a stellar safety record” and “no student objected” are logical fallacies (actual email responses to those questioning the practice).

To justify a range practice because there has never been a problem with the practice is short sighted. I can justify not wearing a seat belt because I have never been in an accident right up until the time that I am forcefully exiting the car through the windshield. Then it’s game over just as it will be when someone catches a bullet “during a class”.

Hopefully this video will mark the last time this (or any) group puts anyone ahead of live fire in a training course.

Jason

BUT, to simply sit down there and take pictures for the sake of taking pictures, and then to turn around and let a video LEAK it to the ErrorNet.

Damn, thats double stupid.