Pat Mac Talks With Chris Costa, Part 1

Honored to have firearms instructor, Chris Costa, sit in on one of my courses. We took a little time to talk shop.
Learn more about Chris at costaludus.com/
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[@That1ThatHasIt]

Pat is absolutely intense but he also has a great, calm, direct, approach to teaching as well. Solid dude

[@ffryan]

Costa takes a lot of heat from the veteran community because he didn't see combat. But the guy knows his stuff and can make you a better shooter if you're humble enough to listen and learn.

[@shinobi9922]

ffryan it goes a little deeper than that for some of the Tier 1 folks who are in the know about what happened at SHOT show several years ago. Which is why Costa disappeared for several years.

[@josephl2586]

@@shinobi9922 so what happened?

[@whousa642]

Costa is an entertainer.

[@shinobi9922]

@@josephl2586 he was at SHOT show hanging out with a crowd around him telling stories. He told a story about some mission he claimed he did i think it was a ship take down of some kind. The problem was there were a couple DEVGRU guys there who actually did the take down he was talking about. They later confronted him and seems that they put the fear of God in him. He went basically completely dark for a couple of years. This is when he was on top of the shooting world too and then just vanished. He has slowly started coming back out over the last couple years. He seems a lot more humble and reserved since it happened.

[@carbonking53]

@@whousa642 bless your heart we found a hater. What's your skill level compared to Costa?

[@tntshuffle-9799]

I respect and admire both of these individuals. True Patriots, True Americans who bleed red, white and blue! I hope to one day, attend ANY class they give! Godspeed fellas!

[@cleckler71]

I took a Costa rifle class about a year ago. Costa’s pep talk with the class was switched on! The class was extremely informative and definitely helped me sharpen skills. I absolutely recommend taking his classes. It’s just obvious that he cares about his students and what he is teaching them. It was also nice to see and hang out with Will Petty who was also taking the class. Now I need a Pat Mac class!

[@pgg0024]

Petty is a good dude and a great teacher as well!

[@ottoman5819]

May I ask how much the class was

[@christoherhenninger6401]

It’s awesome how humble and kind instructors are in my experience. They do their jobs and help people.

[@graynotescartridgebox]

I was in a Tactical Response class with Costa a week before he went to Pat’s class. Costa is a real student. 👍🏻

[@johngalt234]

That’s because he didn’t learn in combat.

[@graynotescartridgebox]

@@johngalt234 so during the fight is when you’re supposed to learn to fight? Sounds like poor preparation to me.

[@jimmytehgeek]

@@johngalt234 He was a Coastie...they do boarding actions.

[@johngalt234]

@@jimmytehgeek He saw limited action though. At least your local SWAT team does something everyday.

[@seppshlllearningcenter419]

@@johngalt234 They do a lot less than you think.

[@TheWhiteboy40]

Hats off to a person/teacher that puts himself as a student first. Thank you for the humble-ness.

[@jag8901]

Costa - The US Coast Guards finest !! - Thanks !! + well worded response !

[@kandiblick3822]

💯‼...In order to be a master, one must ALWAYS remain a student. Comments by Chris and Pat SPOT ON. Pat and Chris still on my Must Do list. And I love that Chris didn't care that it was a beginner class....I am in 100% agreement.

[@irishdefense77]

If you don’t think you can learn from a beginners class with Mac,then you have too much ego-and ego is not your amigo. I won’t stop learning til I get planted,and I’m a former SF officer and Trooper for 22 years.Always a student of the gun-never a master.This is not directed at the commenter-obviously a good mindset there.

[@practicallysocial]

Stoked to see you two in the same space talking training philosophy. My second class with Chris is coming up- great teacher. Pat's classes are booked solid, perhaps next year I can get in for instructor development. Costa knows Indiana, and Pat, you're welcome any time.

[@BeauBrewer5.56]

Been out with Chris several times. Always a quality time. I love the intensity but also the comedy that is sprinkled in. The mindset talks have stuck with me and makes me want to keep pushing to be at the elite level of performance. Looking forward to being back out in class with him in Oct.

[@scottwallace7617]

I have NO IDEA how I stumbled onto this channel. Right off the bat, Pat Mac exudes all of the qualities that a GREAT trainer has / will have. I've watched a few videos and after watching this video I decided to subscribe. WOW! I want to learn from either of these two gentlemen (OK, anyone for that matter) and I want that hat that Pat is wearing! Thanks for the video and please keep them coming!

[@kuzz7919]

I like that both Pat and Chris were exchanging ideas with each other.

[@nagle196]

I trained with Chris this past March and he is an awesome instructor and cares about his students learning and being better. I will definitely be getting more training from him. I also want to train with with Pat MacNamara as well.

[@rodandgun396]

Great video from Pat Mac and Chris Costa driving home the basics . Both super talented humble teachers of the shooting schools.

[@declineofthewest.]

Pat Mac is the man. Hoping to get into a class soon!

[@jerrywolfe1886]

This was a great vid/interview! The fact that both Pat and Chris mention aspects beyond shooting fundamentals is key. A lot of firearms instructors (not everyone) teach how to shoot, but few of them stress the other components like situational awareness or when you can legally pull the trigger and why. I have seen people in both the military but especially in law enforcement that trained extensively on a 1 dimensional range but when put in an actual gun fight, lost the ability to process and function. “Just because you have a gun, doesn’t mean you’re armed!” 100% factual! One day, I will get into a TMACS and Costa Ludus course!

[@mtnman1]

We need more than 8 classes a year from Pat, I’ve been trying for years to get into a class.

[@chuckclark6162]

Haven't been to a Costa course yet, but I did run my STI Costa VIP at the last TMACs course I took. And for all of you 1911/2011 haters...I didnt have a single weapon related malfunction (& I was running steel-cased ammo).

[@ericrumpel3105]

Gotta say!!.....REALLY like listening to what Pat has to say,...that's why I'm here.

[@DigitalNeb]

I think educating new shooters is down to the community at large. There's just no way that instructors can handle the demand by themselves. We, as responsible and capable gun owners, should take it upon ourselves to help educate new gun owners that we personally know. I have several friends that purchased firearms and then came to me to learn how to safely operate them. By no means, am I an instructor, but I'm more than capable of teaching someone to use a firearm and handle it safely. I think most people in the gun community are. And I think it's important that we share those skills when possible. Not everyone that has a gun can afford to go to a class, but everyone that has a gun should understand the responsibility of it and how to safely use it. How else are we going to reach that mandate without community participation?

[@troy-cq6ls]

Great video, I have trained with both of you twice and loved the training. My two favorite instructors by far! You all ever think of teaching a joint class?

[@FGTBOGSAT]

Pat, I see a need for a training course in "Living and Surviving in an American Urban Environment." I live near Savannah, GA and love the city. However, there is plenty of violent crime that happens there both day and night. This course would be for CCP holders. The course should incorporate elements of day and night situational awareness in an urban setting, basic patrolling techniques in an urban setting, group and individual street movement/passage techniques, defensive handgun use in an urban environment (day and night), awareness during exit or entering an automobile, how to avoid being a target, and knowledge of "no-go zones" in urban areas. Any thoughts? -- Old Infantryman, 3rd Infantry Division, Rock of the Marne!

[@marcusjs2856]

Pat has both a class and a book called Sentinel. I recommend them, though I am not sure how often he teaches the class. The content is exactly what you are looking for. Stay safe.

[@mikebillman8089]

The best teachers learn to read their students and recognize their strengths to minimize their weaknesses.

[@Giovanni-od7if]

Costa's CET 2 and VET (vehicle class) are two of the best classes I've taken. Great stuff.

[@arighteousname5882]

That's because you don't know any better.

[@joshroten3997]

As a former Fire Dept. Captain/Instructor and Public Safety Diver Instructor I couldn’t agree more with Chris’ statement about the Instructor’s job is to develop the student. Not show off, not pump his/her own etc. Good Instructors know that the same approach doesn’t always work for every student. You must have (teaching) “tools” in your toolbox and know when and how to use them all. It really should be Instructors getting “report cards”, more than the students. 👍

[@ottoman5819]

Wow my two favorite instructors in one video my mind is blown

[@richardsonprecisiontrainin8365]

Awesome! Two badass dudes and two top notch trainers

[@offthex2519]

I wish I could have taken one of your courses before my last deployment. I had great work up instructors, but wanted to learn from the best

[@MrJtin69]

Pat mac tier 1 operator and a dip slinging machine love it

[@n3qdz]

Imagine going to THAT class and Chris shows up. Frickin awesome two Alpha males, both working in the same direction fighting the same fight.

[@arighteousname5882]

There's nothing alpha about Chris costa

[@simply_based]

@@arighteousname5882 Honestly nowadays the term Alpha is pretty beta in of itself

[@rykehuss3435]

@@arighteousname5882 Costa seems more sigma than alpha

[@rykehuss3435]

@@simply_based Depends who uses it and in what manner. Its still a pretty useful term to have, and beta, alpha and sigma all can be used to described different kinds of men. Its just that most who use those terms have no real idea what they mean. Alpha for example doesnt mean obnoxious, egoistical jerk along with loud, confident and steadfast. Many guys who call themselves alphas are not alphas, but just insecure guys trying to play the alpha role. For example a real alpha is someone who lifts others up, is humble, dependable and not prone to emotional outbursts, among other qualities. If an alpha sees someone who is bigger, stronger, better he gets inspired, not jealous.

[@arighteousname5882]

@@rykehuss3435 none of what you said has anything to do with being "alpha" beta or sigma or whatever greek alphabet term you want to through. Guys who use that terms like that are equivalent to women who believe in astrology and zodiac signs and you sound foolish for even trying to explain anybody that gibberish you just said.

[@joelpierce3940]

My son took instructions from Isaac S. Retired GB. He is a great teacher. His youngest brother is on the wall at JFK SWC. A comment, the police just come mop up. You better protect yourself.

[@tuckpoint2]

Went to the range Saturday. Blurred sight alignment. Do a video on old guys

[@marcusjs2856]

Try to borrow something with a RDS on it and run a few magazines through it AFTER watching Aaron Cowen's (Sage Dynamics) video on use of a pistol mounted RDS. It allows you stay target focused. It helped me overcome my severe presbyopia.

[@tuckpoint2]

@@Deleted-User498 yeah I have readi g glasses but I don't want to go there lol

[@a.bodhichenevey1601]

Excellent points, everyone!!!!

[@muriloninja]

Damn, PatMac got some sun...that was me yesterday in 104F hellfire weather.

[@ericrumpel3105]

Same here Man,....out on the LR-Rifle-Range 10:00-18:00 w/ zero shade or break, 104-F,....liked to kick this old ft-ass's ass.....lol

[@iananderson8288]

Chris's awareness is off the chart

[@troy7295]

Another knowledge drop gem. I have to think harder how I can get from CA to Pat’s class. I have some experience on range and received some instruction from LE so not sure if beginner or not but need to find the time. Pat message me if you have any advice on your end cause I would love your insight. Thanks again for another value added video bringing common sense and perspective from a position of experience.

[@Rogue308]

Fucking smoking video bro.. Love to hear the collaborative thoughts and philosophies …amazing how they are same overall, but different…

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

First I ever heard of Chris Costa was the Magpul series way back in the stone age before 9/11. I was in the Deuce at Bragg and we definitely took that shit to heart. Luckily, we had some squared away NCO’s that took the time to show us a lot of this even though it wasn’t army orthodoxy at the time.

[@IronCornsurfer]

Wow, you're full of shit. Why don't you look up when Magpul was created. It was years after 2001. Without looking it up, I believe it was 2004. As a side note, I was 11B on 9/11. Those weapon manipulation techniques (workspace, forward pistol grip, c-clamp, etc) were not taught and most had not evolved to that until after a couple years of combat in Iraq. It was implemented by Blackwater, Triple Canopy, etc. because they had the freedom to develope and utilize out of the box thinking.

[@heatherburger1666]

Thank you

[@gwman90]

Imagine taking your first beginner pistol class with Pat Mac and the student next to you on the firing line is Chris Costa.

[@ericrumpel3105]

.....right !!!.....an "instructor" with less experience & knowledge than yourself......LOL !!

[@ungerjs90]

Really cool seeing these guys in the same place. Good stuff.

[@raymondruz9634]

Costa is the GOAT

[@practicalthings2992]

Out fucking standing!!!!!

[@willowwonderbull7100]

imagine showing up and seeing chris attending the class i would be confused lol so cool

[@chriswest7552]

Two great guys

[@j.t.patton7820]

Solid Gold fellas!

[@heymanmotorsports49]

When you see the title and realize, the universe has finally aligned

[@Splattertube]

Solid. Anyone reading this, suggestions for training in SoCal?

[@dragonpundit.6443]

Pat Mac is a man!

[@preacher1776]

Hey Chris!! Don't fail on a jump, son!! Ha!

[@Mike-gh7vk]

Holy shit!!!!

[@crazyfox7999]

Aww my 2 favorite beards together. Sup dudes keep on keeping on

[@martinvera5962]

That's really cool.

[@dannyrowe6506]

Pat, Been in the sun all my life fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. First wife was a Red Head and with her skin , 2 aspirin every 3 hours, no red skin - you are still damaging your skin, however no or minor redness an d no burn pain. Love your presentation style and your heart. An old frog.

[@raymondjurado9203]

Would be a great thing and a gift to get a range instruction from either one.

[@emptynester9241]

I thumbs up’s the video before I watched it

[@libertynotdemocracy9142]

It's disgusting what the ATF did to Larry vickers

[@whousa642]

What happened?

[@idlibenglish6789]

Gold!

[@Budoka72984]

Well, my PC just crashed.. Too much AWESOME!

[@MikeJones-ti1cb]

Can someone please help me to find a sling ding. I tried tyr tactical they don't seem to sell to the public. If anyone knows where I can find one I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[@or97035]

Kudos

[@FloridaSpook]

Solid!

[@was6transam01]

Four classes with Costa and Im still waiting for my first class with Pat Mac. And I live an hour from Pat... WTF!

[@LK-bz9sk]

Fifty meters and in……excellent.

[@teamsters2824]

Look at pat mac packin a howie day of that long cut . Guys the manliest man I have ever seen haha

[@shaunr5450]

I haven't seen anyone slam a dip like that since I got out of SF in 2014 lol.

[@scottt4081]

It would be interesting to see an estimated number of rounds (amount of ammunition) top tier guys like this have gone through from their initial selection days through their careers. Most people probably will never go through as many rounds in their lifetime as these guys went through in just initial selection.

[@arighteousname5882]

Costa has never been in any teir 1 selection. Lol

[@scottt4081]

@@arighteousname5882 thanks, did not know that.

[@jerrywolfe1886]

Don’t let the fact he was never a tier 1 asset effect your opinion of him as far as being a firearms instructor goes. If Rambo were real, he wouldn’t necessarily be a solid instructor. I have spoken with a lot of individuals who have completed his courses and they all had nothing but praise for him.

[@arighteousname5882]

@@jerrywolfe1886 if he's JUST a firearms instructor that's fine and dandy. When it starts to become sketchy is when guys like Costa try to sell you some TTP that has never been tested in the real world are come off like they are trying to teach "Gunfighting" when they have actually never been in a gunfight. I'm sure Costa is a good firearms instructor in the application of shooting a firearm but when it comes to gunfighting or combat shooting there are alot of charlatans out there who have zero experience in neither.

[@toddglover2054]

A couple of solid Americans straight there.

[@michaelflentge6484]

Damn this was a good knowledge bomb.

[@treasurequestsnakeislandth147]

Great call to action: nothing worse than not knowing your tools, or having them taken from you and used on you...😳

[@whousa642]

Two guys that are world apart. One is an actor the other Batman!!

[@deadheart556]

Pat is just a range teddy bear

[@barrysmith916]

Dude is correct, with the defund cops, the looting and burning up in the northwest, lots of new gun owners with very few having gun handling experience. We need stickers or shirts that say, dont sweep the good guys, or muzzle awareness saves lives. Imagine 2 million first timers with zero training out there already spooked ?

[@nonamer203]

yyyyyyyyyyeahh super granpa time!

[@thadrobinson8343]

Re. Chris @4:14: I've wanted to get some CONCERNED CITIZEN nametapes embroidered for my LARPing outfit, but it has almost as many letters as NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH. Big words to fit on a 5" nametape. ☹

[@friedmac7146]

The Vice President of Badassery

[@christianclemons187]

Wonder if they talked about range theatrics?

[@whousa642]

Costa would be shredded

[@1985totte]

it looked like you took Swedish Snus at 40 sec ? Did you ? :)

[@bestjobieverhad9584]

Shit Chris Costa is known around the danm world!

[@whousa642]

Because he is fake

[@grantorino2009]

Damn

[@gregchabot7160]

Puddle Pirate idolized by 13 yr old airsofters.

[@bestjobieverhad9584]

@@gregchabot7160 yes, but he can shoot

[@designated_hitter_EGA]

Costa has that Krusty the Clown hair style now a days.

[@whousa642]

He is a clown

[@williamscore5322]

That’s it! Couldn’t place it until now

[@designated_hitter_EGA]

@ william score @@whousa642 A Coastie! lmao

[@johngalt234]

Of course Mr. Coast Guard has to take a beginner class first.

[@arighteousname5882]

Yep. Lol at least he's learning from a former operator with actual combat experience rather than just some flash in the pan internet BS that Costa is known for.

[@whousa642]

@@arighteousname5882 you are correct. Not only he is fake. His methods are dangerous theatre.

[@johngalt234]

kzbin.infoUgkx24uhPZsRphS9Ra010o0sfnggDahTO1B4

[@cleckler71]

@@whousa642 What do you mean he is fake? I’m curious what you are talking about.

[@grantorino2009]

@@whousa642 When & where did you take a Costa class in person? You haven't? Well, shit the bed. I'm shocked. You did hear Pat Mac say that he & Costa teach essentially the same content. Are you saying that Pat Mac is fake, too? Costa has Pat Mac's respect, and that's good enough for me, and I've actually trained with them both.

[@jcoll6518]

I've no doubt about your experience. However when you align yourself with Costa you now bear the weight of all the inane bullshit he brings. I've no doubt that performing with a clown has vaulted some careers but those were professional clowns, not Costa clowns. Pick your clowns better Pat.

[@Pew_pewchronicles]

Why does Chris look so old?

[@rd4660]

Damn Pat, you have your shit together except for the chewing tobacco. It will kill you in a horrible way, please stop.

[@ericrumpel3105]

YES SIR !!!........speaking from experience & quitting cold-turkey in my late 40's......many tough years ago.

[@heartwormskillcats8357]

Chris Costa is an absolute poser - trust me.

[@whousa642]

Yes he is

[@gargarbinks1972]

@@whousa642 get a life nerd

[@ph5915]

I am probably a super liberal here, I believe the gov't role is to help make people's lives better. I hear often about the 'defund the police' phrase which was a terrible message, as Democrats often do. But the meaning behind that was that police are called for everything, often it is much beyond their training. Many times in these police shootings, a social worker or mental health therapist could either ride along or be the 1st contact. These services have been underfunded for decades and end up tragically. Another slant is the 'BLM' issue, which was never against any other people, the intent was an outcry for all the deaths from police, it was a plead that 'hey, we matter too', it was never against anyone. 'Antifa' cracks me up - Anti-Fascists - who is for fascism? Those brave soles that stormed the beaches at Normandy in WWII, they were anti-fascists...

[@whousa642]

You are definitely evil.

[@redbeard2527]

Hey Pete, I get it broheem. I got a front row seat from rural Oregon here. I understand the intentions, but boy, the delivery was atrocious. Trusting government with anything is also a non starter in almost any subject. I respect your willingness to put your thoughts on here genuinely and thoughtfully. The world could use more honesty like yours Mr. Hamilton.

[@randym6439]

Antifa is antifascist? That's a bit of sarcasm there. I can throw a water hose and tank in the back of my truck, but it doesn't make me a fire department. The little Antifa thugs are more akin to the Bolshevik street gangs that fought with Nazi street gangs in the Weimar Republic era after WW1 in Germany. The men who hit the beaches at Normandy were actual soldiers. They weren't a bunch of kids playing at it like the so-called Antifa.

[@VictoryOrValhalla14]

If the men that fought in WW2 could see the disaster the country is now they wouldn’t have done it. It’s a disaster because of people like you supporting it’s destruction.

[@ph5915]

@@redbeard2527 Thank you, sir! I was braced for a lot of flack.

[@cranerigging3604]

These guy's are wound a little to tight .

[@mariusfrost640]

There is no post-covid! It's not a thing. The pandemic is not over. The more you say it, the more damage you do. There are vulnerable people who are losing their lives because people are behaving like it is over. You have a moral obligation to encourage people to care for their fellow man. Minimizing the situation only causes harm.

[@Not_Mussolini_]

Sir, this is Wendy’s.

[@jeffreylc]

Two more weeks!!! Lol.

[@cottleful]

Costa takes himself far too seriously lol.