Basic Pistol Class = wife pissed

[stix213]

Should do individual training for someone with special concerns or needs. I did an intermediate pistol class at Bullseye in San Rafael, which was 1 on 1, with about 60% classroom style discussion and grip critique, 40% range time. I found it extremely helpful in correcting issues I had and tightening up my groups.

The teacher was a former DEA officer if I remember correctly. He taught the both thumbs forward technique but he was familiar with others, and mentioned if I thought I would be more comfortable with another technique he would be more than happy to go another route. I think the cost was somewhere between $180 and $250 or so.

[Montu]

Yeah I think that will be the route we will take.

Thanks for all the feed back guys.

[pacrat]

Thumbs up, thumbs down, thumbs forward, teacup, finger tip, finger pad, left hand, right hand, weak index on TG, weak index on grip, Weaver, isosceles, crossdraw, appendix, 3 oclock, 4 oclock, 5 oclock, dead on hold, six oclock hold, 9mm, 45acp, or even a little 22.

Anyone who thinks there is only one way to do anything is a narrow minded turd, stuck in their own happy little rut.

A teachers job is to teach, not preach, adjustments for individual students is part of teaching.

JM2c

[fiddletown]

It can often be difficult to deal with those sorts of unique situations. Some instructors might genuinely be stumped by a set of physical limitations he has never seen before.

When our group teaches the Basic Handgun class we usually have four to six instructors there, especially for the "hands-on" exercises and live fire. First, that allows us to give each student a lot of individual attention (we also limit class size).

But also each of us brings something a little different to the table. So if one of us doesn't have any good ideas about how to help a student deal with a knotty issue, another one of us will. We all supplement each others knowledge base, and we continually learn from each other.

[CSACANNONEER]

I think it is normal for instructors to teach a proper hold that allows for the best control of the firearm. In your wife's case, she needs an instructor who will accept her physical limitations and help her figure out what is best for her. This should be done on a one on one basis or, better yet, two instructors to one student.

I have worked with one student with MS who simply can not lift his arms high enough so, he has to lean way back to get a sight picture. I would NEVER want someone to do that during a basic class because, I would not want other students to think it was the proper stance but, with his limitations, it is his only option.

[Pardini]

LOL

So some one pays to go to a class to learn something they can't do because they are disabled. The student teaches the instructor the way he/she has to do it due to the disabliity.

Who taught whom what and who should have paid whom?

[skosh69]

Sorry to hear that OP.

Tell her not to get discouraged, have her look into the NRA's Women on Target training classes. http://women.nra.org/womens-instruct...g-clinics.aspx

They're for women only and they start with 22's and have follow up classes with larger calibers.

Don't let some tacti-cool trainer, who wouldn't let her hold the gun the way SHE was comfortable and capable of, ruin future shooting for her.

[BucDan]

IMO, the instructors could have accommodated her better. You're supposed to find the best for each individual, and make the best of it, not trying to force something she can't do. Im sure it wouldn't have changed the lesson at all.

[NorCalFocus]

My only guess as I've shot at Scottsdale Gun Club with their instructors and new gun shooters before, is it must be a safety concern.

Thanks for sharing your story though. I am considering going through them for a CCW class. I may look around a bit more now.

[sigstroker]

I have a friend in Mesa who's certified NRA instructor and Gunsite (Jeff Cooper) instructor. I don't know if he still teaches but I can maybe ask him.

[paintballergb]

To me a good instructor would be able to take into consideration the disabilities/ physical limitations of their students and adjust accordingly. I would look for another class and talk to the instructor and let them know the situation. Any good instructor would accommodate your wife as far as I'm concerned.

[SonofWWIIDI]

While my personal opinion is that the teacup is not a grip for beginners, but one for experienced shooters (and even then few can use it with great success), the instructor should have listened to your wife's comments about her injuries and helped her with it.

But, perhaps the instructor was not competent with the grip, and was embarrassed to say so. That wouldn't surprise me.

Try another instructor and before you pay for/take the class, explain to the instructor your wife's issues. If he can't accommodate her, keep looking for a instructor who can.

Good luck.

[uhlan1]

File a complaint with the DOJ for violating her rights under the ADA and sue them for every last round of 9mm they have.

Or find a better instructor who is adaptive and flexible to the students' needs or limitations.

[Damn True]

Sounds like you stumbled on a pi$$-poor instructor.

Yes, the technique he ascribes to is better than teacup. But if the gal in question is physically unable to shoot that way then she can't practice and maintain proficiency thus she is no better off than if she hadn't taken the class at all.

A better instructor would have worked with a physically challenged client and found a technique that is practical even if a bit of a compromise.

Instructors all over the country routinely work with all manner of clients from amputees to the elderly to those with physical challenges who can't perform the latest "tacti-cool" techniques but who can learn effective weapons manipulation within the construct of their abilities.

I hope you are able to find one of them.

[Garand1911]

Theres more bad instructors nowadays than good ones.

Stay away from classes that say MY WAY ONLY, bullcrap.

What was the instructor to student ratio ?
Hopefully no more than 5 students to 1 instructor.
Ive seen youtube videos it looked like 20/1. Which is terrible on a safety standpoint and quality of training .