Steyr Arms: Training The Next Lon Horiuchi
BY Herschel Smith
4 years, 9 months ago
Steyr Arms recently announced a new training program exclusively for law enforcement at the Steyr Academy at the CMP Range in Talladega, Alabama. Steyr will offer its long-range training course to designated marksmen for law enforcement agencies. Above all, it’s offering this premium training course absolutely free of charge.
The long-range course comprises two days of instruction, taught by Steyr’s Training Academy Director Eduardo Abril de Fontcuberta. A long-range shooting world champion, Fontcuberta brings more than 25 years experience. Further, he served as both a military and police sniper instructor and armorer. He is also considered one of the world’s leaders in extreme long-range shooting, according to Steyr Arms. Now Fontcuberta dedicates his time to teaching a no-nonsense course. It takes place in a personal training environment that provides his students with the knowledge necessary to become a super-accurate, long-distance shooter in any condition, according to Steyr.
“At Steyr Arms, we are proud to support law enforcement,” said Scott O’Brien, president and CEO. “We are using our training academy to show our respect for police officers across the country who put their lives at risk every day to keep us safe. This is our way of saying thank you for everything you do.”
The term “designated marksman” is fairly unique to the U.S. Marine Corps. The Army doesn’t employ that expression because it has no place in Army small unit doctrine. They have snipers, but so does the USMC (“Scout Snipers”). The training undertaken by DMs in the USMC includes most or all of the classroom and range training that the Scout Snipers go through, just short of the actual final Scout Sniper concealment, ingress, egress qualifications. I know this because my son was a DM. If police in America use the expression DM, they stole it from the military.
Exactly what Steyr thinks of the militarization of police in America they don’t say. Exactly why police in the U.S. need such a thing as a DM Steyr doesn’t say. Nor do they appear to question it, or question the history of use of such people in policing in America. But if this is a raw attempt at a sales pitch to LEOs, it might be interesting to know what the Steyr management thinks of a future in which the only people who can legally take the course are LEOs, the same [and only] ones who can purchase Steyr products.
It won’t work. There won’t be enough LEO money to go around after firearms are restricted. Not even the companies left in business will be financially healthy. Assuming, of course, all of that comes to pass. And it might also be interesting to know what Steyr management thinks when the Fraternal Order of Police support such bans in America and Steyr goes bankrupt because there aren’t enough people to buy their products. “The lion will eat me last” has never been a wise strategy.
Steyr may also want to ponder asking Mr. Eduardo Abril de Fontcuberta how he feels about training in America and the [current] freedom to do so given the gun control that exists in his home country of Spain. It seems a bit hypocritical to travel to America to conduct training while living in a country that prohibits most people from even owning weapons.
I would expect Steyr to see pushback on this, but if they haven’t yet, they should.
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On June 26, 2019 at 10:15 pm, Frank Clarke said:
An excerpt from “Tipping Point” (http://frankclarke.dx.am/TipPtPage.html), Chapter 21, ‘Economics 101’:
—————-
When they were all assembled, the Big Four and eleven others, none of whom had bid on the proposal, General Mulvaney addressed them.
“Something very odd has happened,” he began. “In years past, when the Army or Navy or the Marines would solicit bids for a new weapons system, there would be a rush of potential suppliers anxious to grab their share of the contract.”
He paused for a long time to let his words sink in. “In May we solicited bids for a new tactical rifle to replace the M-4 and received exactly three responses. I won’t say who responded, but I will tell you that none of the companies represented here today presented bids.” The several participants exchanged surprised looks.
He paused again for a long time. “To say that the Army is worried would be overstating the case. We know that we will find — eventually — a supplier for what we need. I’m just stunned — and that’s understating the case — that none of you thought it worth your while to present a bid. Just in case there’s something wrong with the original solicitation, I wanted to have you all together where we might find out what went wrong on this one. Is there anyone here who would like to offer me some insight?” Mulvaney sat down.
Geoffrey Cloister, senior VP for Marketing with Remington, spoke without rising from his seat: “There’s nothing wrong with the solicitation, General. Indeed, the process hasn’t changed for as long as I’ve been dealing with the Pentagon, so if there were something architecturally wrong with it, we would have found out by now. No, it’s a simple matter of ‘Economics 101’: your contracts are cost-plus, and I admit it’s a very generous plus. Unfortunately, it’s not generous enough.”
Mulvaney had a semi-surprised look on his face. Cloister continued.
“The plus was always used to fund the marketing effort when we would later use the bulk of the newly-developed technology on the civilian version which would follow your first shipments by mere months — when they didn’t beat the military version to market.
“Are you beginning to see the baseline problem, General?” Cloister asked. “We get to save all that plus as revenue, and in return, we abandon all the revenue from the civilian market… because there isn’t any civilian market. We can’t even sell the technology overseas because the Swiss are the only likely market worth entering, and they have a decided bias toward EU manufacturers.
“Do you know what Remington manufactures these days, General?” Cloister asked, rhetorically. Mulvaney already knew, and Cloister knew that he knew. “We manufacture toasters under sub-contract to Sunbeam. We manufacture toys under sub-contract with Mattel, but only the metal parts. We’re trying to snag a contract to —” He suddenly realized he was in the presence of competitors. He looked around sheepishly and paused…”
——————
Steyr is selling rope that will be used to hang themselves.
On June 27, 2019 at 6:57 am, Mark Matis said:
Makes me REAL glad I don’t own any Steyr products.
On June 27, 2019 at 7:04 am, ragman said:
No mystery here. Our peace officers need the rifles and training so they can kill us from afar. Killing us and our puppies at close range is not good enough anymore. We’ll see how their “no nonsense” training works out when Citizens start shooting back. Many of whom have much better skills and equipment than said heroes will have.
On June 27, 2019 at 7:38 am, John Taylor said:
As if the article did not contain enough infuriationment embedded, you had to put the cherry on top of the s**tcake by invoking the name of that murderous bastard who still walks the earth. Thanks, pal – got to go get some more BP meds now.
(j/k – love your work, man!)
On June 27, 2019 at 7:43 am, Fred said:
The business aspects are all very interesting but it would seem to me that police having no objectionable thoughts as to shooting their neighbors is well, problematic by every possible societal, sociological, historical, and religious measure there is. Herschel said: “Exactly what Steyr thinks of the militarization of police in America they don’t say.”
I think that they have made what they think of the po po killing their neighbors very clear and in the processes have revealed their belief, and it does take faith, they have in government. They should know that there is also a diminishing return in this regard. Sooner or later the commies will come for us all, Steyr included. Training po po and putting out press releases about it is normalizing a militarized po po and exactly who does Steyr think the next generation will be killing, not their grandchildren? I would venture that the men at Steyr ain’t too bright in having made the State their god. Their grand children will have this god, good and hard. Vicki Weaver was unavailable for comment.
On June 27, 2019 at 8:00 am, S18-1000 said:
This reminds me of when Serbu refused to sell 0.50cal rifles to New York police, after passing of the Safe Act. I think they said something along the lines of ‘we won’t sell the police anything the citizens of the same state cannot own’. Gun builders will have to do some soul-searching in the coming years, and decide what’s more important: a nice contract in the here and now, or their principles; if they still have any at all.
On June 27, 2019 at 8:29 am, Ned said:
Steyr training USA LEO’s long range shooting. Because of “support” for law enforcement. And because shooting people at long range is now somehow a valid function of law enforcement.
Remember folks – you can’t respect law enforcement unless you train them to kill citizens from long range. Respecting them for kicking down doors, killing dogs and blowing up children with flash-bangs is so passé.
On June 27, 2019 at 9:52 am, revjen45 said:
T’would seem that the worst consequence of the nation’s salient secret police organization being suborned by the DNC, Soros, et.al. is not that it happened, but that the Drooling Masses are ceasing to worship the Einsatzgruppen.
On June 27, 2019 at 10:14 am, Jack said:
There’s no real secrets.
Screw steyr
Scope polarization filters-for dealing with glare on auto or building glass
Loop-Hole formula
Blind Shooting-think artillery
Bout the only “secrets”
Full Understanding of your trajectory deals with 2 of the issues.
The other a photographer can square a person away with
On June 27, 2019 at 11:11 am, Longbow said:
You fellers don’t understand! The Police NEED that Firepower! As well as armored vehicles, attack helicopters, drones, access to cellular systems, and all that!
They’s TERRORISTS out there! Real live terrorists! Hell, they’s people who think they don’t have to pay they taxes! Some them people think they should be able to live on their own property and not have to answer to nobody! They’s miscreants runnin’ up and down the road thinkin’ they should be able to do what ever the hell they wanna do! Some them thinks they should even be able to own and shoot (and carry!) any damned gun they want to and don’t have to beg permission from the Police first!
They’s religious nuts out there who think they can live in separate communities and just be left the hell alone!
Hell, they’s white supremisssiissstsstst and white separate-iststss’s and white priviledge-ists and all kid of potential terrorists out there!
They’s father rapers, and mother killers and people litterin’ and all kind of things…!
“People go fuckin’ around with The Law and HELL breaks loose!”, declared Sheriff Teasle.
On June 27, 2019 at 12:05 pm, George said:
“police having no objectionable thoughts as to shooting their neighbors is well, problematic by every possible societal, sociological, historical, and religious measure there is. Herschel said: “Exactly what Steyr thinks of the militarization of police in America they don’t say.”
I was not in the military but from what I understand the DM program was to try and put a very competent shooter with every unit so that the “DM” could better deal with situations that call for a much better than average shooter.
Pray tell how many of these DMs do the police think they will need? Are they going to have one for every 5 officers? Why do they think they will need them? Do they know something we don’t know?
On June 27, 2019 at 12:16 pm, Sanders said:
I believe the saying used to be about H&K – “Because they hate you.”
Perhaps Steyr feels the same way?
On June 27, 2019 at 6:06 pm, SGT.BAG said:
Law enforcement will continue to enjoy a monopoly on violence.
On June 27, 2019 at 8:19 pm, Gryphon said:
“Police” have little to No Constitutional Basis, and the Auto-Delegitimization they have been doing by “Militarization” is going to reach a Tipping Point, where they become the “Standing Army” that the Founders were concerned about.
At Some Point, enough Citizens will see them as an “Occupation Army”, and like the Patriots in all the Nations the USSA has Invaded, People will start “Active Resistance” to that Army.
“police having no objectionable thoughts as to shooting their neighbors is well, problematic by every possible societal, sociological, historical, and religious measure there is.”
Then the People shouldn’t have any Compunctions about Doing the Same, should they?
On June 27, 2019 at 10:05 pm, Fred said:
That would be God’s law of self defense, where righteous as justified by real threat, none.
The law of nations is a little trickier but it’s fairly well established that police are an arm of a corporate federal power, monetarily and by this corporations own rules, laws, and bylaws. Yes, an occupying army for all intents and purposes, although some regions and towns are still not that bad yet as measured by willful, sinful threats and acts.
Having told you that you may not defend yourself against its agents and having granted its corporation and its agents sovereign immunity it declares itself a god. Any half dimwit can survey the current state of affairs, open his Holy Bible and most assuredly conclude that there is no reason in earth or heaven not to resist this thing.
On June 28, 2019 at 7:42 am, Drake said:
Funny how between HK, Steyr, and Sig – It was Sig that figured out the U.S. market and won big. HK and Steyr make great stuff but keep thinking that hating on civilians is the way to win police and federal business. I wonder if they’ll ever figure it out?
Might help that Sig now has a big manufacturing and business footprint in the U.S.
On June 28, 2019 at 12:07 pm, Roger J said:
I bought a Tikka instead of a Steyr. Very happy with my purchase (inspired by the Captain) and now Steyr is off my list. As far as I am concerned they can go back to making bikes and lame little 4-cylinder cars that look like ComBloc creations.
On June 28, 2019 at 12:52 pm, moe mensale said:
“HK and Steyr make great stuff but keep thinking that hating on civilians is the way to win police and federal business. I wonder if they’ll ever figure it out?”
OK, I’ll play the contrarian here. I understand the HK and Lon Horiuchi mindset thing but why all the hate on Styer? Because they’re offering a LEO only training program for free? Lots of companies – and not just firearms manufacturers – offer reduced and no cost “stuff” to cops. Want the same “benefits?” Become a badged wunderkind.
In the meantime, if I want to buy a Styer firearm and attend one of their training courses I can. Their website and catalog don’t show any restrictions except for a specific leo/mil course.
Firearms
https://www.steyr-arms.com/us/pub/media/wysiwyg/Steyr_Arms_Catalog_2019.pdf
Training
https://www.steyr-arms.com/us/academy
As for the future I don’t have a crystal ball. I don’t see the country rolling over and playing dead. But I can see it going “Balkans.” Then it won’t really matter who’s offering free courses and who’ll sell only to who, will it?
On June 28, 2019 at 1:37 pm, Fred said:
Ok Moe, explain to me, by God’s law, or any other reasonable measure, how a sniper shot is defense at arms? Only would it be used where open and declared war would warrant. Sniping is not a defensive act. Will these police be at the US borders, guns facing outward?
On June 28, 2019 at 5:01 pm, Longbow said:
Fred,
I think I can answer your question to Moe very simply. Find on youtube, the moment when the first bomb goes off at the Boston marathon. The cops stand around wondering what they should do and who they should control. National Guardsmen, on the other hand, immediately start tearing down barricades and helping the wounded. The difference in behavior is striking.
On June 30, 2019 at 8:08 am, TRX said:
The various police departments (and Federal “LEOs” sure put out a lot of press releases about sniping and long range shooting.
Any given organization might need a sniper, what, once every ten years? Less?
While out on the streets, Barney-Fife-level police shooters gun down waaay too many innocent bystanders. For example, LAPD fired 103 rounds at two women delivering newspapers with a pickup truck, under the impression they were shooting at a single male driving a car. Perhaps arithmetic and motor vehicle identification should be part of their training. Or NYPD, who shot nine bystanders on a crowded street while trying to hit a “suspect” within spitting distance. And these are major PDs with huge training budgets.
But snipers and SWAT teams are $SHINY, and blazing away at bystanders – their employers – hey, what’s all the fuss about anyway?
On June 30, 2019 at 1:44 pm, moe mensale said:
Sorry, Fred. I’m not going to defend something I didn’t say. I didn’t say I supported Styer offering a specific long range shooting course only to the cops – free of charge or otherwise. Nor did I say I supported the use of police snipers.
What I said was that many other firearms manufacturers also offer the same type of training to their LE customers only. And maybe also specific types of firearms. There’s also a crap ton of independent trainers that offer “LE only” courses in addition to their other offerings.
Are we going to start boycotting these manufacturers and independent trainers because we don’t like what they’re doing? You’re free, of course, to limit yourself in terms of availability of products and services. I’ll take a more pragmatic approach and avail myself of their products if they meet my requirements. And I can take the same or better shooting courses from various companies and individuals.
As to the use of police snipers, there are legitimate but limited circumstances where their employment is warranted. It’s common knowledge that ~95% of police sniper shootings occur within 100 yards. The rest might push the boundary out to 150-200 yards. Liability issues and such. How many police snipers exist in this country? I have no idea. But should they mistakenly turn their rifles in the wrong direction, I’m fairly confident there’s a far greater number of citizens with far better training and skills.
On June 30, 2019 at 8:38 pm, Fred said:
“OK, I’ll play the contrarian here. I understand the HK and Lon Horiuchi mindset thing but why all the hate on Styer? Because they’re offering a LEO only training program for free?”
My answer is, no, I don’t have “hate on Styer” because it’s LEO only training. They are teaching police tactics of war, and upon whom would those tactics be used but us.