"Learn As You Go" is a phrase that could easily describe my life's path. The things I've learned are engineered into the weapons I build, and are infused into the advice and training I give.
My name is Abner Miranda, and I'm a former cop of six years. Ok, now that that's out of the way, allow me to say that being a former cop has no bearing on who I am as an instructor or builder of precision AR-15's. I mentioned my LE career because it bears noting that having been a cop gives me a unique vantage point at what it is to be an armed citizen and how we are viewed by the POLICE.
Since 2010 I've been instructing friends, family, and fellow cops. Few persons in the firearms industry posses a training resume as diverse as mine. My knowledge isn't based on taking the NRA Instructor's course then hanging out my instructor's shingle. Rather, I've dedicated many years to being a student of firearms and tactics. I'm often asked what's in my training file. I don't treat it like a closed file which is how some instructors act when asked about their background and training. My file is absolute and expansive - and I'm still adding to it.
My knowledge is based on the fact that since 2004 I've attended 61 courses (and counting) in varying disciplines to include weapons employment, CQC, dignitary protection, hostage negotiations, team tactics, structure clearing, reactive shooting, precision rifle, and tactical medicine. As a student you want to have an instructor who knows what it is to be a student. Few instructors in this industry can show you a truly comprehensive training file. Note: When I say "Training File" I'm referring to class certificates that demonstrate that one has parked their ego, listened to an instructor, and tried it their way. I'm not referring to running around the industry collecting "Instructor Certificates." So what's in my training file? Here, have a look...
A.P.O.S.T.C.: Tactical Operator Training - Tac Firearms II
Costa Ludus: Vehicle Elements Theory
Executive Resources International: Dignitary & Executive Protection
FBI: Basic Crisis Negotiations
FBI: Crisis Negotiations - Specialty Topics
Handgun Combatives: Advanced Combative Pistol
Handgun Combatives: Critical Space Pistol
Handgun Combatives: Adaptive Combat Pistol 1
Handgun Combatives: Adaptive Combat Pistol 2
Handgun Combatives: Combative Pistol
High Caliber Training: Remington Rifle 1
High Caliber Training: Roger’s Range
Sentinel Concepts & Centrifuge Training: Vehicle Low Light CQB
Talon Defense: Defensive Carbine
Talon Defense: Low Light Carbine 1
Talon Defense: Low Light Carbine 2
Talon Defense: Low Light Carbine 3
Talon Defense: Carbine Skill Builder 1
Talon Defense: Carbine Skill Builder 2
Talon Defense: Carbine Tactics 1
Talon Defense: Carbine Tactics 2
Talon Defense & Ditch Medicine: Combat Casualty Care / Handgun
Talon Defense & Ditch Medicine: Combat Casualty Care Advanced Handgun / Carbine
Talon Defense: Concealed Carry Handgun
Talon Defense: Defensive Handgun
Talon Defense: Low Light Handgun 1
Talon Defense: Low Light Handgun 2
Talon Defense: Low Light Handgun 3
Talon Defense: Street Defense Handgun
Talon Defense: Handgun Tactics 1
Talon Defense: Handgun Tactics 2
Talon Defense: Handgun Vehicle Defense
Talon Defense: Handgun/Carbine Counter Ambush & Vehicle Defense Low Light
Talon Defense: Handgun/Carbine Injured Shooter 2-Day
Talon Defense: Handgun/Carbine Injured Shooter 1-Day
Talon Defense: Handgun/Carbine Injured Shooter 1-Day
Talon Defense: Handgun/Carbine Injured Shooter Low Light
Talon Defense: Handgun/Carbine Vehicle Defense
Talon Defense: Handgun/Carbine Vehicle Defense & Counter Ambush 1
Talon Defense: Handgun/Carbine Vehicle Defense & Counter Ambush 2
Talon Defense: Handgun/Carbine Vehicle Defense & Counter Ambush 3
Talon Defense: Handgun/Carbine Vehicle Defense & Counter Ambush Low Light 1
Talon Defense: Handgun/Carbine Vehicle Defense & Counter Ambush Low Light 2
Talon Defense: Handgun/Carbine Vehicle Defense Low Light
Tactical Defense Institute: Tactical Rifle 1
Tactical Defense Institute: Tactical Rifle 2
Tactical Defense Institute: Tactical Rifle 2
Tactical Defense Institute: Tactical Rifle 3
Tactical Defense Institute: Pistol 1-3
Tactical Defense Institute: Pistol 1-3
Tactical Defense Institute: Pistol 4-5
Tactical Defense Institute: Handgun Active Killer
Tactical Defense Institute: Shotgun Tactical
Tactical Response: Fighting Rifle
Tactical Response: Immediate Action Medical
Tactical Response: Fighting Pistol
Valor Ridge: Rifleman 1
Vickers Tactical: LE/MIL CQB
Way of the Gun: Performance Carbine & Pistol
Wartac CQC: Close Quarter Pistol
Wartac CQC: Arm's Length Gunfighting