Looking for Training

[geoint]

My wife and I have wanted to take an advanced defensive handgun class for a while but have been unable to go to one before now. I did a little IDPA shooting back in Texas (though I was never happy with my scores lol) and my wife and I are both Army veterans so we are both familiar with the realities of shooting. We both went through the CCW class back in Texas too, but it was almost impossible to fail the range portion and we are looking for some training to actually help us become more effective with our sidearms.

A few things to mention: I dont currently have a CA CCW and dont intend on using this training for CCW purposes.

I dont know if training in CA is lame or overpriced and if its better to drive to Vegas or Arizona for training.

I dont want a class that is super heavy on basics or has lots of expensive prerequisites. My wife and I know how to field strip our guns, what a gun is capable of...etc. I dont mind classroom instruction but Ive read that a lot of 'advanced' classes out there are really just extended basic type classes with a larger round count. Id like something fun and at least somewhat useful. Call me a jerk but stationary shooting at paper for 500 rounds doesn't inspire all that much excitement in me.

I live in Riverside County and classes nearby would be preferred

I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but I could spend a max of about $1000 for the pair of us (including cost of training, ammo, range fees, food...etc)

And lastly, I am not available on sundays so no weekend only classes.



Anyone have any suggestions?

[crash02]

FTA in Corona?
Ftatv.com
I haven't looked to see if they offer mid week classes as I'm only available for weekends.

[bsg]

although he is north of so cal, i believe 9mmepiphany (Calgunner) sometimes comes down this way and teaches. he has high marks from other Calgunners that have attended his classes. send him a PM if interested.

[desertrider]

If it weren't for your "no weekends, and local" requirements, I'd suggest ITTS. I've taken classes with them and feel I got quality instruction from qualified people. And I drove out there (ASR) from Moreno Valley.

Scott Reitz knows his stuff.

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

No experience with any classes in the IE.

Good luck.

[geoint]

Id be happy to do friday and saturday just no classes on sundays. It seems most 3 day courses I find are Fri, Sat, Sun which is a no go for me.

I guess if I cant find classes for my schedule Ill just wait til I go to Utah as I imagine my scheduling preference is pretty normal with people up there.

[geoint]

FTA in Corona?
Ftatv.com
I haven't looked to see if they offer mid week classes as I'm only available for weekends.

Looks intersting. Have you gone through their training before?

[crash02]

I've attended the "recreational handgun" with the wife (so that she would go and get a formal/basic and informative introduction to firearms) and their ca ccw class which is a compressed fast paced general handgun class for Sunday (range day).
I will be attending there ccw night shoot in April ,and I have some buddies that have taken several different classes (i.e. General handgun, advanced handgun, carbine,etc...) and speak highly of the training for somewhat being local.
I have been to frontsight for the 2 day defensive handgun, and shot more rounds in one day at fta's ca ccw class then both days of frontsight.
Hope this helps.

[geoint]

I've attended the "recreational handgun" with the wife (so that she would go and get a formal/basic and informative introduction to firearms) and their ca ccw class which is a compressed fast paced general handgun class for Sunday (range day).
I will be attending there ccw night shoot in April ,and I have some buddies that have taken several different classes (i.e. General handgun, advanced handgun, carbine,etc...) and speak highly of the training for somewhat being local.
I have been to frontsight for the 2 day defensive handgun, and shot more rounds in one day at fta's ca ccw class then both days of frontsight.
Hope this helps.

I really appreciate that review! Thanks man

[trigger945]

Try ca-idpa-shooters.com. The match director, Lief, gives personalized instructions. He owns FFT, LLC. Contact him.

His fee is not that much, and the lesson is around 3 hours long. He uses Prado Range in Corona.

Hope this helps.

[LCU1670]

Take a look at the Front Sight thread here in CalGuns, also Google the AEGIS Academy in Temecula.

[Tri750]

I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions.
Here's mine.

http://wmlsafeguardprotection.com

Bill Luper has very impressive qualifications and is not a "ninja roll, camo underwear, wanna be" I've done several of his classes. No disappointments.
Based near Fresno.

[Garand1911]

Try to avoid the internet commandos what watched one too many magpul videos. Or the guys with fancy nicknames, that use too much tactical language like "fire a controlled pair" then "power stroke". Or the guys that teach you swat type tactics that are useless in the real world.
Then figure out what techniques are "range bs" for safety reasons, that you wouldn't do in the real world.

Look for a class that has a good ratio of student to instructor (1 instructor for every 3-5 students), for safety reasons and for more personal instruction. A ratio of 1 instructor for every 20 students isn't safe and isn't fixing your mistakes.

[geoint]

Got a nice little list so far.

FTA in Corona
Aegis in Carlsbad
Prado Shooting range (also plan to attend IDPA matches there)
American Defense Enterprises in Azusa


Fresno and Pahrump are farther than I want to drive (unless there are no good alternatives nearby but it looks like there are plenty)

[Clee]

Got a nice little list so far.

FTA in Corona
Aegis in Carlsbad
Prado Shooting range (also plan to attend IDPA matches there)
American Defense Enterprises in Azusa


Fresno and Pahrump are farther than I want to drive (unless there are no good alternatives nearby but it looks like there are plenty)

ADE really? You better do some more research. Do yourself a favor and head over to the training subsection and start reading. A lot of serious guys who train with legit outfits.

[geoint]

ADE really? You better do some more research. Do yourself a favor and head over to the training subsection and start reading. A lot of serious guys who train with legit outfits.

I got a PM saying they are good, haven't done much research on them yet. Based on your post, Im guessing they are one to avoid?




Btw, new question: Anyone ever go through a carbine class (at any skill level) with a Saiga sporter?