Žiga Polajnar, more commonly known as the face of Polenar Tactical (although many would argue that title belongs to Manca) will be crossing the Atlantic from his home in Slovenia to teach two small one-day AK courses in Texas the week before NRAAM. Žiga is both a good friend of mine and one of the most talented tactical shooters I’ve worked with. His technical knowledge of the AK platform is top tier. Additionally, everyone knows that – all other things being equal – you get a 10-12% skill bonus when you are learning the Kalash from a genuine Slav, especially one who comes from a family of WWII and Slovenian Independence War vets. I’m upset that I won’t be able to attend personally, if only to prevent Žiga to tell drinking stories about me (if he does, I guarantee that they are somewhere between minor exaggerations and complete fabrications, including any pictures or videos he may have).

Polenar Tactical doesn’t host courses outside of Europe often, although Žiga recently made two tours to Brazil where he taught basic and advanced tactical handgun courses to Brazilian military police and civil police, and ran combined training with special forces from GARRA.

This will be Polenar’s first course in the United States.

At home, Žiga has a background in the private security arena as a former rifle and handgun instructor at the CSB security firm. He presently serves as a maritime security personnel proficiency exam administrator.  He is an active competitive shooter, a range officer, and organizer of the Slovenian tactical 3-gun league.

Given that these are one day courses, they are geared towards intermediate to advanced shooters, so the class can hit the ground running without rehearsing the basics. PT recommends a minimum of 900 rounds (700 AK and 200 pistol) which is a fairly high round count for a one day class.  It’s $250 a person, and there are only a handful of slots left between both days.

Polenar Tactical Press Release:

We are proud to announce that Polenar Tactical is organizing two 1-day AK Operator courses, hosted by Echo Nine Three.  The classes will take place a week before NRAAM, on the 28th and 29th of April, at the Texas Defensive Shooting Academy in Ferris, Texas (20 miles south of Dallas).  Because this is Polenar Tactical’s first shooting course in the United States, the curriculum will focus on PT’s flagship AK rifle curriculum.

The main focus of the course will be on proper handling, manipulating and shooting with the AK rifle.  While this class will include shooting fundamentals, emphasis is on intermediate and advanced techniques. The one day AK Operator Course is not recommended for beginners. Students are required to have at least basic firearm manipulation and marksmanship skills but most importantly, a familiarity with the four rules of firearm safety and knowledge of safe firearm handling.

Depending on the knowledge and performance of the group as a whole, individual and team-level tactics may be implemented during the course.

Other required equipment includes:

1. An AK-type rifle in any centerfire caliber
2. A sling
3. A secondary firearm* and a quality, safe holster
4. 2-3 additional magazines for the primary and secondary weapon
5. Magazine carrying pouches
6. Personal protective equipment (eye and ear protection mandatory)
7. Min. 700 rounds of ammo for the student’s AK, and 200 rounds for the student’s pistol

*A secondary firearm (i.e., handgun) is mandatory, but will only be used in some combined drills.

No special gear is required but tactical gear such as helmets and plate carriers are indeed welcome. Reflex or 1x to low-magnification CQB optics are optional.

You can read more about the course and requirements on the Echo Nine Three sign up page: http://www.echo93.com/product-page/basic-kalashnikov-course-4-29-18