Valor Ridge - Neighborhood Defense

[speedbump]

There is a prerequisite of Rifleman I, but this is a very comprehensive course (see description). There aren't many like it in the U.S. Most classes fill up 6-8 months in advance:

 

http://www.valorridge.com/products/neighborhood-defense

[Dx54r]

"Disclaimer: Valor Ridge does NOT recommend internal modifications to guns. Leave the internals of the gun the way they came from the factory. If you choose to modify your guns, you assume the liability of the weapon operating incorrectly. As such, you alone will be responsible in the event of catastrophic failure of the gun, including damage to the weapon and resulting property damage."

 

Makes one wonder what kinds of abominations people have brought to the class only to have fall apart and sent back home in pieces. It certainly looks like it is a fun class and would be an interesting topic to learn about.

[gLockedandLoaded]

I would love to take this and Rifleman 1, ut I feel like I would need to go buy a complete BCM or DD rifle first. I don't think Reid would approve of my homebuilt ARs.

[speedbump]

DX, whatever your mind can conjure ... has been attempted.

 

gLocked, as long as it's safe ... and it works ... it's fine. Home built ARs go down nearly every class. Last month's victim was a just broken in Sig with an aftermarket Geiselle trigger. Sad to see.

 

Simple, reliable, minimalist stuff works a very high percentage of the time, and with the protocols in place give ARs reliability factors equal to AKs.

[OldMarineVet]

Deleted

[gLockedandLoaded]

DX, whatever your mind can conjure ... has been attempted.

 

gLocked, as long as it's safe ... and it works ... it's fine. Home built ARs go down nearly every class. Last month's victim was a just broken in Sig with an aftermarket Geiselle trigger. Sad to see.

 

Simple, reliable, minimalist stuff works a very high percentage of the time, and with the protocols in place give ARs reliability factors equal to AKs.

 

I've read a lot about gas blocks coming loose. I know my 18" build has a clamp on style, so it may not make it through heavy use (which isn't really its purpose). I would probably just use my 16" with a standard mid-length BCM upper. At least the gas block is pinned.

[speedbump]

As long as the clamp screws on your 18" are Loctited in place, it should hold up fine. The stoppage clearance drills are pretty revealing on loose parts. Just bring a spare rifle if you have it and you'll have no worries.

[Tango7]

Any certs from other instructors recognized in lieu of Rifleman I? I've attended quite a few Defensive Edge courses, and while my willingness to train is still as eager as when I started, my finances aren't.

 

If not, that's fine. Your rodeo, your rules.

[speedbump]

It's Reid's rodeo, he's strict about the prerequisite. We have a ton of military and LE guys come through, and they're pretty unanimous that even Rifleman I is a game changer, and far more comprehensive than any of the previous training they've had. Feel free to check Google Reviews for specifics.

 

One of the best investments is the Small Arms Course, which is Pistolcraft I and Rifleman I back to back. It allows both weapon systems to get intensive range time, and cuts down on multiple trips. Because of the physical layout of the range, we can split the class in two groups to nearly double the curriculum content, and minimize down time. Plus, a lot of students feel Reid's classroom lectures are pretty much worth the class cost even though there is less than two hours of that per day. Sorry.