Course Descriptions Handgun • Rifle • Specialty
Level 2 armor is provided to each student when appropriate during the courses

Handgun Courses
Although often considered by some not to be the best choice of weapons for personal defense, handguns may in fact be the best choice at the time of a confrontation or the only weapon available. To that end one should know how to defend one's self effectively with a handgun. All handgun courses include the base skills of safe handling, admin and action loading, malfunctions, drawing, tactics and flashlight use. Also covered will be shooting with movement and manipulation skills development. Many courses are declared as tactical; this is because the courses advocate using handguns to defend one's self as compared to a sporting application. Semi-automatics or revolvers are acceptable. Variations of the handgun courses include:

Defensive Concealed Carry - CC
Course addresses methods of and techniques for carrying a handgun concealed in warm or cold weather based on client requirements. All training and skills addressed in TH are covered in this course only from a concealed carry format.
Nominal 800 rounds of ammunition.

Defensive Handgun - TH
Course addresses basic skills of safety, drawing, loading, malfunctions as well as some advanced skills i.e. distance firing, injury drills, ground fighting, shooting and moving as well as other issues for defensive use of handgun.
Nominal 800 rounds of ammunition.

Defensive Handgun 2 - TH2
Course addresses basic skills, Tactical Handgun skills and update or upgrade of already acquired skills. Advanced issues such as advanced timing and tactical problems related to defensive use of handgun are addressed.
Nominal 900 rounds ammunition.

Defensive Revolver - R
Although considered archaic by some the "wheel" gun is far from being stricken from the list of effective defensive tools by the educated. In the hands of knowledgeable persons the revolver is more than an equal of any other defensive handgun. This course addresses the techniques and idiosyncrasies of the revolving handgun for personal defense.
Nominal 700 rounds of ammunition.

Handgun Course Equipment:
Clients should have eye (for day and dark) and ear protection. A good holster, belt and magazine carrier, which is properly threaded thru belt loops on your trousers or pants. Knee and elbow protection are a good idea. Two flashlights and spare batteries. A spare handgun is a good idea but not mandatory. Six to eight speed loaders or magazines. A hat, neck scarf and sun screen. A small bag to carry all your stuff in is handy. Clothing for seasonal weather at 5000 to 6000 foot elevation.

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Rifle Courses back to top
Rifles are the individually operated choice of weapons systems for personal defense. A rifle in the hands of a skilled owner can generate a person who can effectively control close or far personal defense environments. All rifle courses include the base skills of safe handling, admin and action loading, malfunction clearance, deployment, tactics, low and altered light application. As well the use of cover, concealment, shooting with movement and manipulation skills are covered.

Urban Rifle - UR
Created in 1983 this course is still the one most copied but not duplicated by other institutions. Urban rifle is the cornerstone of the personal defensive doctrine of this school and has been since the schools inception. Very simply this is the way to defend yourself… and this course the way to defend your self with a rifle.
Nominal 800 rounds of ammunition. Generally for magazine fed iron sighted rifles but other rifle types accepted. Low powered or dot type optics permitted but it is recommended that backup iron sights be available somewhere on the rifle.

Urban Precision Rifle - UPR
This new format is a fusion of the two time tested TR doctrines of Precision Rifle and Urban Rifle. In this new format the surgical application of the scoped rifle to urban and compressed environments is addressed. Most documented precision rifle shots are in fact applied at shorter ranges in compressed times and at what are often complex targets. Safety, use of cover /concealment, engagement of moving targets, hostage type targets, firing from elevated platforms as well as other appropriate subjects will be addressed in the course. Altered firing positions applied under duress will be addressed by scenarios in Terminator 3 and Thunderville.
Ammunition requirements are nominal 500 rounds. Eye & ear protection mandatory, knee and elbow protection helpful.
Equipment: Scoped rifle with shooting sling and bipod.

Mid-Range Rifle Course
This class takes the student from the end of the muzzle to seven hundred yards in field conditions. The course uses some paper for documentation of zeroing for the scoped rifle but is mostly fired at modest sized steel targets comparable to the size of targets offered to the rifle shooter in hunting and field conditions. Strong emphasis is placed on position shooting, and use of slings and bipods to reproduce field conditions. Recommended calibers are .308, .30-06 types...strongly preferring students to NOT use magnums due to the number of rounds to be fired. Good scopes mounted to a strong action are advisable. The shoot and spot team concept will be used often to mark hits on the steel targets.
No Magnums or Zip guns please.
A nominal 400 rounds of regular match  or hunting ammo. No steel  core or tracer ammo please.

Rifle Equipment:
1. A Working Bolt Gun with enough glass to match course ranges. No magnums. Backup rifle in same caliber if possible. 2. Rifle must have a sling and bi-pod. 3. Good scopes mounted to a strong action. You will be shooting out to 700 yards. Make sure you have the right mounts and glass to get out that far. 4. Spotting scope suggested but not mandatory.  A shoot and spot team concept will be used often to mark hits on the steel targets. 5. A good simple cleaning kit and rod as you require.

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Specialty Courses back to top

Home and Vehicle Defense with Trauma Block- HVD
HVD specifically addresses two of the places we spend a lot of time, at home and in vehicles. This course covers planning and implementation of defensive and offensive protection procedures for these environments. Initial blocks cover manipulation and shooting skills updates and review.  It also includes blocks of classroom discussion about ballistic trauma and tactical medical care, with material presented by a tactical emergency medicine physician on gunshot wounds, emergency care under fire, and the selection and preparation of a trauma first aid kit.
Handgun format. Tutorials available for long gun applications.
Nominal 800 rounds of ammunition.

Defensive Team Tactics - TT
This format is geared for the two-person format. This course is for either law enforcement officers or same family members to acquire skills in the use of tactics and firearms together to resolve confrontational environments. Strong emphasis is placed on safety and safe handling of firearms in close confines and restricted space environments. Topics include but are not limited to cover fire, movement and fire, and response to multiple threats. Handgun format.
Nominal 800 rounds of ammunition.

Equipment
Eye (for day and dark) and ear protection. Good holster and belt combination threaded thru belt loops on trousers or pants. Knee and elbow pads. Ammunition for all courses: *nominal - Webster's…approximate

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4 Day Handgun/Urban Rifle Combination Course

Course Description
This course is a modest reduction of the regular three classes that then allows for students to be introduced to both weapon systems. The first two days will cover Defensive Handgun followed by two days addressing the Urban Rifle. Basic tactics are addressed in the course. The intent of this format is for clients to gain skills and to grasp compatible techniques for both systems. This allows for solid exposure for handgun, rifle and tactics while attending the TR facility one time.
Ammunition nominal 400 pistol / 400 rifle.
Will run Wednesday - Saturday. Course cost is $1200 with $800 Deposit.

Integrated Handgun & Urban Rifle Course

Course Description
This course allows the student to participate in an integrated program that will stress the practical and defensive use of the handgun and rifle with strong emphasis placed on the two systems being integrated together as might be required in conflict.

Each firearm will have limited coverage as a separate platform to assure or confirm student skills with the remainder of the course time spent using the two systems together. Included are range and tactical house exercises using both systems.

Additionally tactics and illumination equipment use with handheld and or gun mounted lights for each firearm will be covered.

Equipment requirements:

• Ammunition: Nominal 1000 rounds rifle, 1000 rounds pistol…Green frangible ammunition required…no exceptions, please.
• Handgun and GOOD holster friction or strap retention required.
• Four to six magazines or speed loaders required for the handgun.
• Rifle should have a solid sling that will control the muzzle while rifle is slung and hanging during transitions and potential dynamic movement.
• Magazine fed rifles will require four to six magazines.
• Hand held or gun mounted illumination equipment or both.
• Personal protective equipment, eyes, ears, knees, elbows etc is very useful.

It is suggested students bring working equipment as the class will not be delayed for untested or non-functioning equipment. Test your gear before class…Please!

Course requirements: Must be a prior student one of the following…TR Texas / TR Oregon / I.T.C., in at least one of the firearms covered in the course.

Course Location:
Thunder Ranch, Inc
96747 Hwy 140 East
Lakeview, Oregon 97630

Course fee: $1500.00 for 5 days
Integrated Handgun and Rifle Course requires a $1000 deposit

Remit fees, credentials and application to:
Thunder Ranch, Inc
96747 Hwy 140 East
Lakeview, Oregon 97630

FAQ: Heidi 541-947-4104