AK-47 Training With Clint Smith At Thunder Ranch (Day 2)

Day 2 overview and AK setup

The session opens by referencing the Thunder Ranch day one video, which focused on fundamentals and introductions, including the winner of the Thunder Ranch Viska giveaway with Century Arms. Day two is described as more intense, with greater emphasis on movement and shooting around barriers. The group has been running the BFT and Thunder Ranch VSKA rifles heavily, noting that the AKs with steel buttplates have left shoulders sore but have functioned reliably after a significant round count. Before class starts around 8:20 a.m., rifles are being cleaned and lubricated to prevent malfunctions. The plan for the day includes more dynamic drills that build on the previous day’s basic AK-47 handling and marksmanship work.

Safety checks, loading, and ready positions

Clint Smith begins by setting up a close-range drill, asking students to imagine a room in their house and place a training dot on the target without taping it. He stresses that the rifle must become an extension of the shooter’s will and that the goal is confidence, not excitement. He explains a loading procedure: chamber a round, remove the magazine to confirm the cartridge is on the opposite side, then reinsert the magazine and immediately return the safety to the on position while manipulating the gun. Clint emphasizes tactile checks over visual ones, so shooters can confirm status by touch rather than looking. He defines the ready position as a defensive posture based on environment, keeping the muzzle down so the shooter’s view is not obstructed, and then has students fire slow, deliberate three-round groups.

Offset, marksmanship, and target slices

After the initial groups, Clint discusses sight offset and point of impact. He notes that in a short two-day program there is limited time to adjust sights, but there is no reason to do anything halfway. Shooters are told to compare where they aimed versus where rounds actually hit, then mentally transfer that measurement to where they need to hold. He introduces a simple drill using the left and right “slices” of the target. On the command “left,” students step left and engage the left side; on “right,” they step right and engage the right side. Clint explains that many shooters are used to direct-fire weapons where the bullet goes exactly where the sights are aligned, but with offset they may need to hold off the visible target to place rounds correctly, which can be a mental hurdle.

Hostage-style drill and threat assessment

Clint expands the slice drill into a more complex sequence. On the right-side command, shooters step right, bring the gun up, and wait for the fire command. The course of fire becomes one head shot followed by three body shots, simulating a hostage-style or precision requirement on a narrow target area. Verbal commands such as “Drop it,” “Get on the ground,” and “Move away” are integrated to reinforce communication and control of a threat. After firing, students are instructed to maintain cover, look around, and check their surroundings instead of immediately relaxing. Clint reinforces that the target may still represent a threat even when it is down, and shooters must stay engaged mentally until it is clearly no longer dangerous.

Student offset lessons and follow-through

One student reflects on learning AK-specific offset during the side-step drills. Although already familiar with offset concepts, the shooter initially aimed too high on the slice target and missed, only grazing the edge. After observing impacts and taping previous hits, it became clear that the rifle was printing slightly higher than the point of aim at close range. The shooter adjusts holds accordingly, still accounting for offset but in a different direction than someone whose rifle prints low. The drill is framed as valuable for hostage-type scenarios, where a tight group on a narrow slice is critical. Clint’s instruction to “not unplug” after the target falls is highlighted: shooters should stay on the target, assess if it is still moving or reaching for a weapon, and finish the threat if it remains active.

Movement, cover, and situational awareness

Clint continues with movement-focused drills, emphasizing that on the right-side command shooters fire a single round and then scan instead of rushing to put the safety on. He questions students about the location of their partners, forcing them to visually find and identify teammates. In subsequent iterations, shooters step left for body shots, taking a large step to get out of the space that will soon be occupied by bullets. Clint cautions against popping the head up like a gopher and instructs students to maintain visual contact with the target through the sights. Additional drills add a single step forward or backward with specified body hits, followed by covering a partner or “boss.” He stresses using the eyes to scan right and left without excessive head movement and reminds students to focus and use their limited training time well.