Where's the "Second Steps" class?

[SmithAndJohnson]

Back in September, out of a baseless and inexplicable interest in getting into shooting, I took the NRA "FIRST STEPs" course and was introduced to this wonderful world.

It was an awesome intro - basic safety, basic operation of handguns, basic safety, info about ammo, basic safety, intermediate safety, and some range time

It sure gave me the sickness, and now my collection is growing at the rate of one every 30 days. I scour the web for knowledge and fantasize about my future plans. But most importantly, I've been spending a few hours every weekend at the range.

Home defense is precluded by my current living arrangements, but I wouldn't even be interested in keeping a loaded weapon near my pillow until I am comfortable with my abilities at the range on static targets. CCW might be in my far future, but certainly not until I leave Santa Clara County.

That's where my problem with continued education lies - for now, I am only interested in the range.

Looking at the NRA basic training page, I see that the NRA is very interested in teaching you:

-Basic Pistol - All signs seem to indicate this is basically a longer formatted version of FIRST STEPs - how would this benefit me?
-Basic Rifle/Shotgun - DEFINITELY someday - soon. But it won't help me get more accurate at the range with a handgun.
-Muzzleloading - I like modern firearms, not antiques
-Reloading - At some point in the future, sure - but shouldn't I be a great shooter before I'm concerned about reloading my own brass?
-Range Safety Officer - Don't think this helps my shooting either.
-Self Defense - I understand this is what 99% of gun owners care about, and/or have grand visions of implementing using a firearm. Not for me yet - shouldn't I be able to fire a group of 10 in a 2-3" grouping at 15 yards before I even consider turning a firearm on another human being?

It seems like besides these "basic firearms" classes from the NRA, things jump pretty quickly to "tactical training" and the like.

Where's the "Basic target shooting?" The class for "you've fired a few hundred low power rounds down range - lets introduce you to more and better technique?"

I can read manuals, ask questions, and come up with my own regiment as best I can to improve my abilities at the range. But there is no replacement for proper education from an experienced instructor.

Thanks for any ideas!

[johnny_22]

Well, Ill give you my experiences

I found that the NRA Basic Pistol did cover much of the same as First Steps, but, review was good for me as an absolute beginner. After that, practice with the .22 at the indoor range until I got to hit the paper more often at 25 yards.

Shooting in a league really helped, too. In the San Jose area we have two "Monday Night Shooting Leagues", that allow one to shoot with others and learn a lot from others.

After a season of MNSL, the tactical classes fit perfectly into my education.

Hope my experiences help you.

[SmithAndJohnson]

I found that the NRA Basic Pistol did cover much of the same as First Steps, but, review was good for me as an absolute beginner.

It sounds like you've taken both the First Steps *and* Basic Pistol? If so, can you elaborate more as to what additional material is covered with Basic Pistol?

After that, practice with the .22 at the indoor range until I got to hit the paper more often at 25 yards.

Possibly because I'm "naturally talented" and possibly because I have a S&W 617 which people tell me is one of the most sickly accurate revolvers they've seen, I can already put 10 rounds in the target at 25 yards.

Problem for me is that when I shoot other calibers (usually renting), various other problems creep in.

I've been to the range a couple of times now with my second handgun - an M&P40 - and I just can't get a grip on the differences between it and the 617. Jumping from a heavy, recoilless revolver to a light, jumpy semi-auto sure is a big change. Additionally, I can get fatigued faster than I would expect and I have the feeling it's not my fitness level or the recoil from larger calibers, but rather my stance and the way I'm tensing my muscles.

I'm just looking for a venue where a professional can work with me for 30 minutes to tell me everything I need to consider when making the transition. First Steps was about "put a .22 somewhere on the paper. Good job, now back to the classroom." I'm looking for the "here's how you properly spend time at the range improving your abilities" class

Shooting in a league really helped, too. In the San Jose area we have two "Monday Night Shooting Leagues", that allow one to shoot with others and learn a lot from others.

This is something I've considered... I'm sure there's a lot I could learn, but I just don't know if I'd be learning the *right* things.

Which league did you participate in? Reed's is my closest range so even if they're a tad overpriced, the convenience factor tends to win out...

Thanks for your input!

[rkt88edmo]

First Steps is designed to focus on you and your specific pistol - basic pistol is expanded in that it encompasses nearly all types of pistols and goes more in depth - so there is more nomenclature and learning about firing controls, loading and unloading, etc. From there the NRA offers Personal Protection Inside the Home (I believe Basic Pistol is a pre-req) and PPC Outside the Home (I believe PPCITH is a pre-req). Pre-requisites may or may not be waived depending on your circumstances and instructor.

Basic Pistol will cover the marksmanship points you want to learn in a lot more depth than first steps did - but depending on the class size you may not get the individual instruction you are looking for. From there you would probably have to sign up for some one on one time. I don't think you will find many people who offer standing classes and only having a half hour class may be hard to find from an "instructor". Might be best off just making some new friends who will spend some time with you at the range.

Another avenue to learn more about marksmanship - check out the local competitions - they are often newbie friendly and will know where to find marksmanship classes and coaches. It sounds like you would be most interested in Bullseye pistol type stuff.

[johnny_22]

It's been a few years but,

http://www.bayprofs.com/

is the outfit that I took Basic Pistol with. More teachers/student than the First Steps, and more time spent on sight picture. Otherwise, it is like all 3 days of First Steps into one long Saturday.

Because of the quality of the range, Reeds is the place for MNSL. More expensive, but, the air is better (although in the winter, the fans do put a chill down your back). I also like it because it starts earlier than TargetMasters.

I need to get back into the habit of going to League right after work.