In a Dave Harrington class, get used to shooting on the move. And shooting weak-handed. You’ll be doing a lot of it.

It's all fine and good to learn the basics while standing on a firing line spaced two arms' lengths apart. But in the real world you may have to push someone out of the way to shoot. You'd best get used to shooting while someone is next to you, even leaning on you.

We shot moving, we shot while moving around or past others. We even cleared malfunctions while on the move, because that, again, is what you do in real life.

While he is not one to fuss over details and has little truck with all the classic drills, Dave recognizes that not everyone is going to be comfortable with his way of doing things. He's up-front about it. If you aren't comfortable with something the class is about to do, step out. No one will think any less of you because you recognize that you can't do it or aren't comfortable trying.

No fancy gear, no Powerpoint displays, just a guy who knows how to shoot getting you to shoot and learn from your efforts.

When I signed up for the class, I'd heard all sorts of rumors. As is the usual case, the rumors came from those who had not been to a class. No, you aren't going to be leaning on a target as a "no-shoot" while your shooting partner shoots. But you will be a step of two forward of the shooting line (and off to the side at a sharp angle) while someone shoots. If you think the angle isn't great enough, step out.

As firearms are effective in poking holes in people, and Dave comes from the real world, do not expect sugar-coated corrections. If you screw up you're expected to "cowboy up" and take the heat: "Joe, what did you just do? Don't you think you owe Bob there an apology for your mistake?"

The first day we ended with some night shooting--as in far from town with just starlight dark. First we tried to hit the steel with the light available to us. I learned that while my eyesight is plenty good enough for nighttime navigation, my vision and my sights don't play well together at night.

I'm a good shot, but while I was missing on a regular basis, Dave was merrily plinking away. Which found me once again doing what Dave was working to keep from happening in his classes; he wants you training, not evaluating. While I was thinking about how sucky my night shooting was, and wondering what Dave's night vision will be like in 10 years, I wasn't learning to hit at night. So I stopped, snapped out of it, and got back to learning.

The second day was like the first but more intense. More movement, more shooting, more new challenges and a few more apologies required and delivered.