Handgun training advice

[andalusi]

More and more I've been thinking I should supplement my range time with professional training. The problem is that I know enough that a basic NRA handgun course isn't likely to teach me much, if anything, but I'm definitely not an advanced operator either. I'm not looking to become a master IDPA shootist (though wouldn't mind it either ) so much as just wanting to learn better marksmanship, control, and self-defense.

What recommendations would you guys have for someone in San Mateo County? Are the classes at Reed's worthwhile? Any other recommendations or personal experience?

I should note that I probably will be visiting family in San Antonio for a week or two in November, so I am somewhat open to courses there (though not as keen to risk shipping or flying with my firearms---don't want to risk them to be damaged or stolen by an unscrupulous employee).

[j1133s]

..wanting to learn better marksmanship, control, and self-defense.
..).

I've found joining the local bullseye league will improve your marksmanship. Cheapest training there.

By control, do you mean pistol handling? Since you mentioned IDPA, do you only care about action pistol? (For example, an action pistol course won't cover 1 handed mag changes and other situations.)

For SD, I'd prefer an instructor who's been in gun flights.

There are a lot more pistol classes here in the bay area than San Antonio. So I think, if you decide on a class, bay area is better.

[elsolo]

Go shoot a local IDPA or USPSA match. You will clearly see what you need to work on, and most participants will give you some pointers as to what you are doing wrong if you ask. The local competetors are also a good resource for asking about local instructors.

That just covers the shooting skill part.
If you want to get "tactical training" and be told how to become a one man SWAT team, there seems to be no shortage of blowhards willing to promote themselves as experts and trade your money for their opinions. I would work on the shooting skills part of the equation first.

[9mmepiphany]

i can highly recommend Bruce Gray's Practical Fundamentals as the building blocks for fast and accurate shooting regardless of which path you choose to follow. here is a class getting set up in Merced

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=322253

[andalusi]

I've found joining the local bullseye league will improve your marksmanship. Cheapest training there.

I've thought about it and I think Reed's has an open league part of the year, but unfortunately it wound up unfeasible for my work schedule when I looked into it.

Since you mentioned IDPA, do you only care about action pistol?

The IDPA comment was just a lighthearted aside, to be honest. By control, I mean a solid grounding in fundamentals with an expert critiquing what I'm doing and giving me tools to improve on my own. But I do also want training on the use of handguns in self defense.

Go shoot a local IDPA or USPSA match. You will clearly see what you need to work on, and most participants will give you some pointers as to what you are doing wrong if you ask. The local competetors are also a good resource for asking about local instructors.

You know, it never occurred to me I could just do that as a complete newbie, but you're probably right. After all, all those shooters had to start somewhere.

If you want to get "tactical training" and be told how to become a one man SWAT team, there seems to be no shortage of blowhards willing to promote themselves as experts and trade your money for their opinions. I would work on the shooting skills part of the equation first.

You brought up one of the things I really want to avoid, i.e., the tacti-blowhards. I don't want someone to pretend they can turn me into John Rambo.

i can highly recommend Bruce Gray's Practical Fundamentals as the building blocks for fast and accurate shooting regardless of which path you choose to follow. here is a class getting set up in Merced

That looks rather intriguing, actually. Thanks!