Holy smokes! Same class, fourth time. Why am I doing this? That’s a fair question with several angles worth exploring. Since I’ve already published detailed play-by-plays of Gabe White’s Pistol Shooting Solutions course in previous after-action reports, I’ll dive straight into my reflections and takeaways from this round.

Before we get into it, let’s address the inevitable gear questions. Here’s what I used:

• Gun: Staccato C2 with a Holosun 507COMP
• Holster: JM Custom Kydex IWB 3 holster, strong side
• Mag Pouches: Concealment Solutions Venom Single Magazine Carrier (x2)
• Belt: Nexbelt Titan EDC Belt
• Ammo: Blazer Brass 9mm 147gr FMJ (round count just north of 800)

Except for the ammo, this setup mirrors what I used last time.

For those seeking a detailed recap, check out my previous reports:

• Gabe White’s Pistol Shooting Solutions (2020)
• Gabe White’s Pistol Shooting Solutions Again (2022)
• Gabe White’s Pistol Shooting Solutions Yet Again (2024)

With gear and references covered, let’s dive into my thoughts.

Insanity: Repeating the Same Thing, Expecting a Different Result?

Am I crazy for taking Gabe White’s flagship course four times? Not at all. It might look that way, especially since I’ve been chasing the elusive turbo pin the last two times. On the surface, that could fit the colloquial definition of insanity—repeating the same thing and expecting different results. But that’s not the full story.

I take courses to learn, and every class delivers new insights, even repeats. Repeats aren’t just refreshers; each time, I pick up something new—sometimes a small nuance, sometimes a bigger chunk of knowledge. Human retention has its limits, and notes only go so far. While Gabe’s class is the only one I’ve taken four times, I still gleaned fresh bits. They were smaller this time, but they were there. Beyond course content, I also picked up insights on instruction—Gabe’s masterful organization, delivery, and audience management.

Focusing on learning disqualifies my repeat attendance from being “insane.” My goals have also evolved. Yes, I chased the turbo pin the last two times, but this time, I didn’t expect to earn one. I didn’t even expect any pin. My focus was on executing the tests while prioritizing process over outcome: a solid draw, hard target focus, and pressing the trigger when the dot dictated. When I nailed the process, I hit turbo pin times. When I didn’t, errors cost me, resulting in light or dark pin times. One attempt was so off that it fell below pin thresholds. I succeeded in focusing on the process 25% of the time, which shows there’s room to improve.

Have I Plateaued?

My third light pin in 2025, following light pins in 2022 and 2024, raises the question: Have I plateaued? Have my skills stagnated over three years? I have theories, but let’s look at the data from Gabe White’s Technical Skills Tests, analyzed using a relative difficulty approach. I’ve estimated individual and aggregate test string results, plus cumulative pin-earning strings (the four best out of eight), in terms of USPSA Grand Master (GM) speed percentages:

Test	2022	2024	2025
Bill Drill 1	2.55s – 74.5% (Pin)	2.33s – 81.5% (Pin)	2.58s – 73.6%
Bill Drill 2	3.40s – 55.9%	2.36s – 80.5% (Pin)	2.56s – 74.2%
Failure to Stop 1	2.79s – 53.8%	2.08s – 72.1%	1.97s – 76.1% (Pin)
Failure to Stop 2	1.97s – 76.1% (Pin)	2.34s – 64.1%	2.20s – 68.2%
Immediate Incapacitation 1	2.33s – 77.3% (Pin)	2.53s – 71.1 %	1.89s – 95.2% (Pin)
Immediate Incapacitation 2	1.92s – 93.8% (Pin)	2.15s – 83.7% (Pin)	3.87s – 46.5%
Split Bill 1	3.24s – 71%	7.53s – 30.5%	2.71s – 84.9% (Pin)
Split Bill 2	7.14s – 32.2%	2.65s – 86.8% (Pin)	2.55s – 90.2% (Pin)
Aggregate	25.34s – 59.2%	23.97 – 62.6%	20.33 – 73.8%
Cumulative (Best 4)	8.77 – 79.8%	9.49 – 83.2%	9.12 – 86.6%

The data tells a different story than three light pins suggest. I haven’t plateaued; I’ve improved. The aggregate result dropped from 25.34 seconds (59.2%, high C-class) in 2022 to 20.33 seconds (73.8%, high B-class) in 2025. The best four cumulative results improved from 79.8% (A-class) to 86.6% (Master-class). Even my worst run improved: 2022 and 2024 lows were ~30% (D-class), while 2025’s was 46.5% (C-class). This suggests I’m better at managing errors, though luck could play a role.

My practice quantity and quality have increased over three years, though the time between attempts varies. This points to diminishing returns—more practice yields smaller gains. This aligns with what I’ve been told: sharpening marksmanship to elite levels takes immense effort. I’ve worked harder than I imagined to get here, and I’ve still got a ways to go.

Tactical vs Shooting Training

Rereading my prior reports and related posts, I noticed a heavy focus on pins, understandable given my turbo pin goal. But this emphasis might not fully capture the spirit of Gabe’s course, which he calls the “Tactical Timmy Enhancement Package #1.” The class, from philosophical lectures to range modules and tests, revolves around Gabe’s core belief:

“There is no such thing as being too good at at fighting for your life.”

Gabe White

The course’s brilliance lies in its balance of pistol performance and concealed carry tactics—a tough balance to strike in a two-day format. Debates rage in the firearms community: some claim tactical instructors can’t shoot well, while others argue tactics are pointless without shooting skills. Reality for concealed carriers includes:

• The better shooter is the better shooter.
• You’ll work with the terrain, environment, and conditions in a justified use-of-force incident.
• The legal system, with its political biases, will judge your actions.

Gabe’s class addresses these: honing shooting skills, using tactics to leverage environmental advantages, managing shot trajectories to protect bystanders, justifying actions legally, and understanding how fight complexity degrades marksmanship. These are critical for concealed carriers.

Will I Take the Course Again?

Yes. The turbo pin remains a goal, but it’s not the only reason. I find revisiting the tactics valuable, especially Gabe’s approach. Beyond practicing barrier drills (footwork, elevation changes), it’s the discussions—why and how these tactics exploit an opponent’s psychology and visual planes—that hit home. I get sucked into chasing faster draws and shooting gains post-class, neglecting these broader concepts. This course forces me to step back and consider the full self-defense scope, which could benefit tactical enthusiasts needing a shooting mechanics refresh.

So, yes, I’ll take Gabe White’s course again the next time KR Training hosts it.