Suggestions for First Handgun Class?

[PoorMan]

I've been shooting casually at local ranges for a few years now but have never had any formal training. I shoot ok, but I've come to realize I am overdue for formal training.

I live in the San Gabriel Valley of SoCal and would prefer to keep it in the SoCal area. I'm very close to Burro Canyon so something there would be ideal, but not required.

I'd like to have my fundamentals assessed and to correct any bad habits I may have developed, but also get some tactical/defensive training.

So I seek your advice:
1. Should I seek group classes or individual training?
2. Any recommended courses or trainers?
3. Advice how to select a good trainer (and avoid a bad one)?
4. Random words of wisdom or other advice?

At this point, I'm interested in a 1 day class or maybe 2 hour personal training.

[bug_eyedmonster]

I would consider this course as a first class with pistol. Chen is a great instructor, and has taught many shooters, new and seasoned. You often find him working with many of the "greats" such as Ken Hackathorn, Larry Vickers, etc.

http://smglee.bigcartel.com/product/smglee-pistol-05-07-2015

[Maltese Falcon]

Send Maani a PM, you may still be able to get in for 2/20, should be nice weather Saturday.

He helped me isolate some bad habits I had fallen into, skill levels erode quickly unless you keep them up.

He is very patient and safety conscious and class size is limited to 10 w/2 RSOs. There are many different courses of fire to round out your training.

I like the shorter classes instead of the all day, I just get plain get tired shooting hundreds of rounds of 45.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1161777

Tell him Larry recommended.

Good luck.

.

[PoorMan]

See if you can find a local competition guy. Wouldn't be very expensive for 1 on 1 instruction. Anyone who is B class or above in USPSA or Expert or above in IDPA would mean that they at least have a firm understanding of the fundamentals. The reason why I'm recommending competition dudes is that there is a record of their firearms proficiency. Because someone was a cop or in the military doesn't mean they actually know how to shoot.

One problem with many "tactical" classes is that they often don't really go over how to shoot better. If you're shooting into a target and not going forward to asses the target and look at your hits and taping up, that's not a good class.

I appreciate the advice. Where would I look to find a local competitive shooter? Where can I view their firearm proficiency records?

[Gringo Bandito]

See if you can find a local competition guy. Wouldn't be very expensive for 1 on 1 instruction. Anyone who is B class or above in USPSA or Expert or above in IDPA would mean that they at least have a firm understanding of the fundamentals. The reason why I'm recommending competition dudes is that there is a record of their firearms proficiency. Because someone was a cop or in the military doesn't mean they actually know how to shoot.

One problem with many "tactical" classes is that they often don't really go over how to shoot better. If you're shooting into a target and not going forward to asses the target and look at your hits and taping up, that's not a good class.

As a competition shooter, I agree with this. Shooting USPSA, you will learn how to point shoot, shoot targets on the move, when to reload and how to focus on the sights when you need to. Also, it is a hell of a good time with good people.

[DFence]

Check with Firearms Training Associates. They have a 2 day handgun class coming up the first weekend of March. Highly recommend these guys!

https://www.ftatv.com

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[diverwcw]

I'm going to put in a plug for Front Sight in Pahrump, Nevada. I've been to 10 of their classes and love them. If you are interested in a FREE certificate for a 2 or 4 day course, PM me.

[splithoof]

Because you may be willing to travel, I recommend Gunsite Academy in Pauldin, Arizona. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it means some expenses for lodging (campground on campus is available also). Yes, you will need to figure in some meals as well, in addition to 1K+ rounds of decent ammunition, and some basic equipment.
However, once you complete the 250 pistol class, you will be hooked. The instructor cadre is impressive to say the least, and the whole experience reminds one of being back in college, but using firearms amoung like-minded people who love being there. Not only will you learn a whole lot, but you will have a great time doing it.
PM me if you have any q's, I'll be happy to share my experiences taking classes there.

[Galt]

Check with Firearms Training Associates. They have a 2 day handgun class coming up the first weekend of March. Highly recommend these guys!

https://www.ftatv.com

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I second a class at FTA. I have taken several different classes there and l have been very happy with all of them.

[wurger]

Look for a NRA basic pistol instructor in your area. They will get you started on the basics of safety and marksmanship. The new blended training begins with on-line for the classroom portion and hands-on at the range with an instructor.

[cindynles]

Send Maani a PM, you may still be able to get in for 2/20, should be nice weather Saturday.

He helped me isolate some bad habits I had fallen into, skill levels erode quickly unless you keep them up.

He is very patient and safety conscious and class size is limited to 10 w/2 RSOs. There are many different courses of fire to round out your training.

I like the shorter classes instead of the all day, I just get plain get tired shooting hundreds of rounds of 45.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1161777

Tell him Larry recommended.

Good luck.

.

You realize that the instructor from PTS is one of the guys in the "The Professionals" video?

http://www.thebangswitch.com/when-you-train-with-professionals/

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a0f_1313626024

[Stumpfenhammer]

I appreciate the advice. Where would I look to find a local competitive shooter? Where can I view their firearm proficiency records?

I haven't trained with this fella, but he places in the top five at the Norco USPSA match. Looks like a good bet: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...3#post17656013

Gunsite is nice but you don't need to go that far from home to get great training.

I've trained with FTA as well, but I agree that a competition shooter like the one linked above is the way to start.

Then, closer to where you live than FTA, is Uncle Scotty. I haven't trained with him in years but when I did it was solid. He was the primary on 4-5 LAPD shootings and put every round on target, so he brings that to the table as well: https://internationaltactical.com/

[Stumpfenhammer]

You realize that the instructor from PTS is one of the guys in the "The Professionals" video?

Oops. Well maybe it was one of those mistakes we all make and regret later.

I try not to bash on trainers, but I was on the TFTT range at Burro Canyon one day when a Hummer rolls by and a fit, attractive middle-aged lady gets out dressed head to toe in black BDU's, high-crown ball cap and boots like an actor playing the SWAT commander in Die Hard. She walks over as I'm laying there with a high-end rifle that looks like it's been dragged to hell and back, a Kestrel and a data book, etc. and she asks if we want to learn how to really shoot that rifle.

She was sincere and, and as I mentioned, not unattractive, so of course I answered, "Why yes Maam, that sounds like a great idea." Whereupon she began to explain to us that she was an instructor at the school giving a class across the way and that they teach SEALs, Special Forces, Ninjas, etc. and the head instructor is a Green Beret and they could get us turned into serious shooters in no time. She hands us a brochure, I can't help myself so I ask her what Group the head instructor was in and can they teach me to be dynamic like Chris and Travis, etc. Anyway, at some point I broke contact and she went back to the class.

But of course, because she was kind of strange AND kind of hot, I had to go see what was up, and when we got done with the evolution I walked over to her class while my buddies kept shooting.

A line of students were doing fast draws from the holster and (hip) shooting into targets on a berm. The berm was not U-shaped, meaning it didn't wrap around the sides of the shooters and the shooters on the end of the line were close to the end of the berm. Then I observe two people, one of whom was an instructor, and the other a student, walk out from the space behind the berm and back into the class (the berm that had a student standing and shooting into it about 3-4 feet from the end of the berm). Which is not much different than had they walked from the targets and through the line of shooters while they were hip shooting.

I turned around, went back to my buddies, and told them we were done, pack up asap, we are out of here.

It was the group in that video you posted. Amazing.

[AFTII]

I've not gone to either of these yet, but I've heard good things.

http://internationaltactical.com/index.html

http://www.isishootists.com