Louis Awerbuck Passes, 6/24/2014

A great legend in firearms training past on Tuesday 6/24/14. Louis Awerbuck was a great trainer and a vast book of knowledge on everything shooting and was always willing to share his knowledge. He was well known for his ability to spot your mistakes from the other end of the firing line and had an uncanny ability to see hits on steel at 100 yards at night while wearing sunglasses. I always marveled at his ability to call sight adjustments that were always dead on, no matter the distance or firearm.  Even though he taught hundreds every year, he would always call me by my name when I seen him.  


I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to personally train under Louis for the last 12 years and I always learned something.  Louis' Carbine class was the first formal training I ever attended and set a standard I now judge every class I attend by. That first class opened my eyes to the fact that what you learn from books, magazines and training videos is only a supplement to receiving actual training in person. I always returned to Louis to work on the fundamentals and I went to him to identify and solve shooting issues I just could not correct myself. He was the man to go to for shotgun training and I learned more about the shotgun in three days than I have yet to learn in 13 years on duty or 20 years of using a shotgun for hunting. He was not high speed / low drag, he was practical and had techniques that worked.   


Louis was soft spoken, but everyone listen when he spoke. He was never one to brag about himself or what he had done throughout his life. Louis not only taught you how to shoot, but he also taught you what was important in a gun fight. Louis would talk of shot placement and anatomy to explain why shooting is far more than just pulling a trigger. Louis would not only teach, but he would make you think. His moving target system humbled even the most confident shooter and his 3D targets made what was a great shot on flat paper a horrible shot in reality. If I would of read in a book or magazine that a $5 baseball cap bill would deflect a 12 ga slug or 5.56 round enough that it misses your target at 7 yards, I would of called the author a liar. When you see it in person, you are amazed and realize training and thinking on your feet are key in survival situations.  


Attending Louis' classes is what eventually lead me to the desire to train people myself. My goal as a trainer is to one day have half his ability to teach and pass on information. I have used information and techniques from his classes to teach everything from hunter education to defensive pistol. Louis was a trainer that I always recommended to people who were interested in taking the next step in training after taking a one day class.  


Louis coming to Boone County in August every year was something I always look forward to. Even if I could only stop by for an hour, I always made an effort to stop by. This August will be strange not making the trip. I have learned a lot from him and I greatly appreciate all the opportunities he gave me to learn from him. I will pass on what I have learned to the best of my abilities and always give credit where due.  

If you are looking for any of Louis' training or information about him, please visit these sites:

www.yfainc.com

http://www.yfainc.com/books.html

http://panteaoproductions.com/instructors/louis-awerbuck

http://www.paladin-press.com/category/s?keyword=louis+awerbuck