OUT THERE : TEACHING IS HIGH CALIBER SCHOOL FOCUSES ON SELF-DEFENSE SHOOTING.

Byline: Rochelle Kaplan Daily News Staff Writer

Ignatius Piazza didn't spend five years creating the only tactical-firearms training facility in California because he needed an extra headache of running two businesses.

A chiropractor by profession, Piazza's concept for the school - conceived after his own intensive firearms training - came about when he realized he wasn't the only person ill-prepared to use firearms in a life-or-death situation.

Now he teaches some 60 students a month self-defense shooting techniques at the 640-acre Front Sight Firearms Training Institute southeast of Bakersfield that he opened in April.

``I used to be a gun collector who went to the shooting range regularly, but I wasn't aware of the proper use of guns,'' Piazza said. ``Although I thought I knew what I was doing, I was never taught the skills required to use a gun when it is needed most - to defend one's life.''

Piazza has never had to use his expert skills, though it was a drive-by shooting in his own neighborhood in 1988 that set him on his quest. Empowered by his training with Jeff Cooper, a pistol-shooting guru and founder of the American Pistol Institute, and Chuck Taylor, a four-weapons combat master (handgun, shotgun, rifle and sub-machine gun), Piazza was inspired to share his knowledge with others.

Incorporating the philosophies of Cooper and Taylor into his own curriculum, Piazza - himself a four-weapons combat master - now claims to have the only world-class firearm-training facility in the state.

With the help of Taylor, the facility's director of curriculum and instruction, and other highly trained law enforcement and former military personnel, Piazza offers courses for handgun, shotgun and rifle. The nine-hour classes include lectures, gun handling, marksmanship and tactical training.

Students are given drills at varying distances from the targets and are even taught to purposefully ``malfunction'' their guns in order to learn how to correct problems quickly. A malfunctioning gun is of no use when you need it for defense.

Shooting, like any other type of activity, has to be practiced perfectly for the operator to become proficient.

``Shooting is a perishable skill,'' said instructor Marc Fleischmann, who works in the fugitive division of the Los Angeles Police Department. ``Shooting skills have to become unconscious for the shooter to be competent.''

One of the main points the staff of Front Sight keeps driving home is that what goes on in your head is more important than what's in your hand. Any gun will suffice as long as the person shooting it is properly trained.

``You're the weapon,'' Taylor is heard saying over and over again. ``What's in your hand is academic.''

The slogan in Front Sight's brochure says it all: ``Any gun will do - if you will do.''

Last week, 32 students were matched up with seven instructors.

``Our courses are based primarily for self defense,'' said instructor Gabe Suarez, a Santa Monica policeman. ``People today are concerned about their own safety. With more and more crime every day, and more and more violent criminals out there, people are realizing it's their responsibility to protect themselves.

``Our instructors have experience in life-and-death situations, so it gives the student an extra edge to learn from us.''

Although fast-paced and intense, with little down time, the basic courses are comfortable for both beginners and veterans.

Every step of the way, safety is stressed by the instructors. Students are taught always to inspect their guns for any ammunition after pulling them from their holsters and before replacing them.

``Chamber checks are one second of cheap insurance,'' Fleischmann reiterated.

When students graduate from an entry-level course, they are invited to attend specialized training courses.

``We want to make (firearms training) available to everyone, not just the elite,'' said Piazza, whose students come from within the state, as well as Canada and Europe.

Reasons for attending are as varied as the backgrounds of the students themselves.

Miguel Zubiri, a Manilla businessman who was enrolled in the handgun course with his friend Fermin Villalon, came specifically because he heard that Taylor would be teaching.

``Chuck has always been an idol of mine,'' Zubiri said. ``When I read in a magazine he was here, I said, `I'm in.' ''

Mischa Van de Water, a police officer from the Netherlands, heard about the course from friends he was visiting in Modesto. He thought incorporating the handgun course into his vacation would be ideal.

``Basic shooting is the same everywhere; it's the tactical part that's different,'' Van de Water said. ``I came hoping to learn something that can enhance my chance of survival.''

The basic concept of Front Sight is in training students to focus on the front sight of the firearm, not the target. This is not how most recreational and competitive shooters focus, Piazza said.

Focusing on the front sight, which actually blurs the target, is the most accurate way to hit your intended target, especially if it's moving, he explained.

Louise Walker of San Jose knows all about moving targets. She and her husband Dave own a security business that offers 24-hour protection to companies that manufacture computer chips, which attracts all elements of criminals.

``You can't do this type of shooting at (a regular) range, wearing a holster and rapid firing,'' she said. ``This is a totally different kind of shooting. It's more fun.

``And I learned more than I thought I would, especially things that might be advantageous for my work.''

MEMO: Front Sight Firearms Training Institute offers two- and four-day courses that run from $300 to $600. For further information, call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1) Students practice front-sight focusing techni ques on the pistol range at Ignatius Piazza's school.

(2) Louise and Terry Walker of San Jose load their magazines with ammunition while waiting to return to the shooting range.

Rochelle Kaplan / Daily News