Handgun Training Classs-Which One?

[AdiosKali]

My son is enlisting in the USAF and is hoping to get Security Forces. I would like to attend a handgun training class with him. I am a Police Officer. He is 20 years old and should be leaving for basic in the next several months. I realize he will receive training but wanted to provide him with the best training that would serve him during his enlistment. I had him shooting a 92F a few times. BTW, he is a lefty.

Recommendations?

Front Sight
Gunsite
Others

[NorCal MedTac]

While the schools you suggested are good... IN MY OPINION ONLY they are designed for the masses with civillian ccw in mind. Send your son to a fight school with surviving with a pistol is in mind. LMS Defense, Tactical Response, Magpul, Suarez. If I had only one class to donate to a loved one being willing to ever be in harms way I would send them to one of those schools.

[AAShooter]

You can pick up a certificate for Front Sight for about $100 for a 4-day handgun class. It provides solid instruction on working with a handgun from a holster.

At that price perhaps you can make two classes happen. Front Sight and another?

[ZombieTactics]

In no particular order, I'd recommend the following:

Thunder Ranch, Magpul, Frontsight. I have experience with each of them and they are all excellent. Gun schools all seem to have their particular quirks, and you can find something "wrong" with all of them. Those I've mentioned are no exception, but the pros FAR outweigh the (mostly trivial) cons.

For what it's worth, I am an FS Diamond member and train there at least twice a year. I am regularly in the company of LE, SWAT, Navy Seals, Army Rangers, FBI, etc. ... most of whom seem to think it's excellent training as well. Many of the instructors are combat veterans, although there are some retired LE types and skilled civilians as well.

There may be something to be said for a "fighting pistol" style of training - taught by (example) Tactical Response and some others - as being more military oriented. You'd be hard pressed however, to say that the 3 schools I've recommended won't give you solid education and a marked increase in overall skill.

[18sam2011]

https://Www.ftatv.com

Bill Murphy, a retired Huntingbeach PD swat cop runs it. He also owns the Surefire institute.

His training is top notch and affordable. Check it out.

[HCz]

Www.ftatv.com

Bill Murphy, a retired Huntingbeach PD swat cop runs it. He also owns the Surefire institute.

His training is top notch and affordable. Check it out.

+1

Also check out ITTS(http://www.internationaltactical.com). Scott Reitz is former LAPD and knows a few things. They run their courses at Angeles range.

[AAShooter]

I took the Surefire Low Light Instructor course with Bill and he did a good job. He team taught with Doug Martin. They make a good team: knowledgeable and enjoyable.

[CCWUSA]

+1 for Uncle Scotty at ITTS!!!

International Tactical (Training Seminars) offers a variety of local (L.A. Area) classes that are 1 or 2 day classes for beginner, intermediate, or advanced shooters. Excellent top- notch instruction from guys that have been there and done that! No gimmicks or trick shooting, just street proven tactics that really work!

ITTS (http://www.internationaltactical.com)

[sootytom]

FRONT SIGHT 4day handgun class!!!!! they will teach you all the basics and they teach you how to dry practice AWESOME TRAINING. I just got back from a 2 day skill builder this weekend. I have 2- 1st time student cert. good for the 4day class for $125 ea.

[GM_77]

So-Cal
ITTS (Highly recommended for LEO) HandGun I might be too slow if you already know how to handle a gun, take HG-II instead.
GreyGroup (Jason Falla, TigerSwan, Larry Vickers, Ken Hackathorn) They visit Chino area
Falcon Security (I hear they are good, haven't attended one yet)

Nor-Cal
SCT
LMS

Outside CA
LMS (NV)
Magpul
GreyGroup (TigerSwan, RedBack One, Larry Vickers) All former/current Tier 1 operators and SAS

Personally I think getting local training is the best first step. Look online for reviews of courses, you can find them on Calguns and M4carbine.

[AdiosKali]

Thanks guys! Keep the info coming. I ordered him a lefty holster and it should be here any day. I guess the advantage to going to NV or AZ is that he could use the full size mags and not the 10 rounders... I will be with him and can possess the full size mags.

He is in delayed enlistment and just waiting for a ship date for basic so I should have some time to get him trained up. When I was active duty, the training was nothing special. Just feeling that as a parent and he is deployed in some foreign land, I want to have the peace of mind that he will have the skills to get him home safe.

Thanks again!

[Gryff]

I recommend US Training Center in San Diego. Their handgun courses are outstanding.

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

[Carlosa]

ITTS (if your in SoCal), Scott is pretty good,
after taking a class i would also recommend both of you find local uspsa matches to attend to, they're the best and cheapest way to practice, develop, and mantain allot of the raw skills that you will learn at this schools.
this schools will teach you basic skills, but will make you a master of non.
so finding a environment where you can develop your manipulation skills is just as important as finding good training, that's where local matches/competition come in.
good luck in your search.
cheers,
Los.

[El Gato]

International Tactical (Training Seminars) offers a variety of local (L.A. Area) classes that are 1 or 2 day classes for beginner, intermediate, or advanced shooters. Excellent top- notch instruction from guys that have been there and done that! No gimmicks or trick shooting, just street proven tactics that really work!

ITTS (http://www.internationaltactical.com)

FWIW.... having been to thunder ranch multiple times... last may for mid range rifle....

Clint and Heidi both think well of Scott Reitz...and stongly suggested taking his courses... Clint is about booked up for next year... but ITTS is higly thought of... my boss at the range has done shotgun with them and thought well of it...

[roushstage3]

I have been to the Frontsight training and it was excellent. Going there this weekend for a skills builder class.