Gun instruction

[RedFord150]

I highly recommend the San Diego Police Revolver Club 'Basic Handgun Safety Course' at the SDPD Range off of Home Avenue....

Can you tell us more about this range?
Is it open to the public at all times, or just special events?

[Revoman]

The SDPD Range is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday most days from 09:00 to 15:00 or so. It's an outdoor range with a tunnel to the target area so there is no stoppage of shooting to put up, score or take down a target. It's a safe range. 25 yards only. Cost $10 for the entire day. They do have memberships available, but IIRC, it's about $240 for <62 and $120 for 62> years of age.

It's a great place to shoot with 40 positions most of the time, they are doing some repairs right now so some of the positions are closed.

It's also in a great location, weather is normally cool even on a hot day as the breeze is constant there and trees, plus an overhead, shade the line. There are benches for the entire 40 positions. Restroom facilities.

You may wish to call and verify the hours as the person who runs it won't hang out long if there are no shooter's on the line.

I shoot there most Saturday mornings and there is usually not more than a dozen peeps there for the morning until I leave around noon. They do sell some ammo there as well, but it's limited. They also have a for sale bulletin board for your perusal.

[darmog]

I should add... for the NRA FIRST Steps course, night 1 is in the classroom, night 2 is on the range using .22LR pistols and revolvers, so you do get a chance to use both systems. The NRA curriculum is inclusive of both pistol and revolver systems so you are competent/safe with both by the time you are done. Highly recommended for any first-timers out here in the SFBA.

The 3rd optional night that Tidwell runs is great though... I remember they had a selection of stuff ranging from a Walther PPK .380 auto, a .357 revolver loaded with both .38 special and .357 magnum, a Beretta 92FS 9mm, a Glock 23 .40, a 1911 in .45 ACP, and a Ruger Super Redhawk .44 Magnum... and maybe some other stuff that I forget.

edit: And I concur that the LMS courses are likely more for someone who already has picked out a weapon system and does have interest in getting a bit farther into the tactics and defensive shooting aspects of things. Their 1-day clinics are a little less intense, but for the 2-day classes, definitely plan on busting out the kneepads and getting down and dirty!

Bill also teaches the same course as a 1 day, 8 hour class at the Livermore Rod and Gun Club. So, if you wanted to do it all in one shot that would be another choice. It's all the same curriculum as at Reed's except you get to shoot at an outdoor range where you'll get to familiarize yourself with the different range rules that outdoor ranges have compared to indoors.

Bill also teaches the NRA Handgun for Home Defense course as well occasionally. I've done that one at Reeds. Its a one day course on a weekend which would be the necessary next step after his First Steps course if you originally were getting into firearms for home defense. Good course, I thought, plus he brings in a retired lawyer who'll lecture and answer questions dealing with shooting in your home and what you can expect afterwards when dealing with the law. That segment alone seemed to last 2-3 hours. Students had tons of questions.

I'd also recommend the guys of Tactical Training Associates based up in Morgan Hill. The group is comprised of 3 active duty police officers from the local PDs. They teach the standard variety of classes from handguns, carbines, and shotguns. Funny group of guys with a simple and direct way of teaching what they know to their students.

[CCWUSA]

Local SAN DIEGO INSTRUCTION - CCW USA Firearms Training

We offer Private Instruction for beginner, intermediate, and advanced shooters. Check out our website www.CCWUSA.com, or visit us on facebook.

Ask for a CalGuns Discount!

[Mercureality]

http://www.internationaltactical.com/scott.html

These guys came highly recommended by some of the gentlemen over on a pistol training forum whom I respect very highly. They cited it as some of the highest quality training you can get on the west coast.

[A Lonewolf]

I would just try to go to the range with a friend who can go over safety and the basics with you and bring you back up to speed. Or just spend time with the range employee before you get to the lanes, and go through a box or two.

If you find that you would like to "get serious" anout using a pistol as a defensive weapon, that in and of itself can be fun hobby. I would check out this:

http://www.ustraining.com/new/index.asp

I went in last weekend for the basic pistol 2 day and it was really great. It is in south San Diego, and the class was only 4 people. The instructor Bill Go will give you all of the attention you could ask for, and make sure you end up with confidence in your skill.

[Jarfykk]

So just to wind things up, we took a class (NRA Basic Pistol) at the Escondido Fish and Game Association. Dave Premetz was a fine instructor and the location itself seems like a great place to shoot in the future. Spent 4-5 hours doing all the classroom instruction one could imagine, plus an hour or so on the range firing Ruger Mk II (.22LR) pistols. Wife was pleased with the limited recoil of that and wants to try a 9mm next, and now feel fine going to any local range and trying out various handguns now.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

[Bert Gamble]

Glad you had a good time