Firearm Training

[c.joe]

I'm located in Los Angeles and I was looking for recommendations for basic firearm training courses. (shooting basics including proper grip, form, trigger control etc.)

Any good experiences with a specific course? Looking to freshen up my basics before the academy. I could really use the extra training.

Regards,

[3DGearGuy]

I recommend DTT (Dynamic Tactical Training). I'm just a regular guy who loves shooting and did a class with them a few weeks ago. Great guys, fun course.

[Notorious]

Too many gun "gurus" around here, be very diligent in your search. However, if you just want a basic course on how the academy wants you to shoot, don't go too bat crazy and get too tactical with some of these courses which will teach you a bunch of stuff that won't apply to what you need.

Remember, in the academy, do as they say and get past it, and then go learn and do your own thing. Academy shooting is not that hard and they don't ask for that much.

[mixicus]

Many choices around here. Based on your needs (basics and academy oriented), take a look at some schools that are run by instructors with academy experience. Not saying you need a POST instructor to learn the basics but if you want to get into the "academy style", they are more likely to have that slant than some of the other groups in the area.

Murphy at Firearms Training Associates and Salseda at TAC-1 come to mind. Give them a call, let them know what you are looking for and they should be able to give you some answers.

[P5Ret]

I wouldn't do any paid training before going to the academy. Simply because if it is just to refresh basics you already know, but like most of us developed some bad habits, correct those problems on the academy's dime. If your class is like a few I have seen recently there are going to be a fair number of students who have never shot a handgun or even held one. Also keep in mind that it will be the instructors at the academy who will be training you that have the most say. They will want the entire class on the same page or at least in the same chapter of their book. They will want it their way, not what someone else may be teaching. Spend some time at the range just doing the basics of sight picture, and trigger control, and you should do fine.

[LCU1670]

If you don't mind driving out towards Vegas, Front Sight in Parump is cheap (if you get a membership or certificate from a member). Just finished a 4 day defensive handgun course there yesterday, had a lot of law enforcement officers in our class to include a NPS LEO as well. Some even wear their duty gear. In past classes I had groups of LEO's who didn't do too well on the qualifications at home and their agencies sent them to FS to get a little extra help.

[Lugiahua]

There is actually a training subforum here, tons of people there are from LA area.

[Eric B]

Stay away from training before the academy. You may learn some high speed stuff, but if you don't shoot how your training cadre wants you to shoot, you're out. These courses can give you bad habits, or habits that contradict your academy training, and that could hose you.

It's better to go into the academy as green as possible. After FTO, take all the tactical training you want.

[SoCalDep]

^this.

Let your academy instructors teach you and then do your own training after. What department are you applying with?

[Armed24-7]

If you don't mind driving out towards Vegas, Front Sight in Parump is cheap (if you get a membership or certificate from a member). Just finished a 4 day defensive handgun course there yesterday, had a lot of law enforcement officers in our class to include a NPS LEO as well. Some even wear their duty gear. In past classes I had groups of LEO's who didn't do too well on the qualifications at home and their agencies sent them to FS to get a little extra help.

If it weren't for ties to Scientology, I would recommend Front Sight. Googling Ignatious Piazza will reveal info from a lot of sources, including his lawsuit against a former business partner that exposed those ties. But it is best you stay away from training. You will learn all you need to know in the academy. You will develope muscle memory and pick up habits that might hinder your performance in the academy.

[LCU1670]

I disagree. I served 26+ years in the Army, had a lot of weapons training, Army, Air Force, Marine, Navy, Canadian, European, and many civilian schools. Even military training evolved while I was in. I don't believe ANY previous training ever hurt my future training, as long as your mind is open. Also, the more styles you learn, the more tools you have in your tool box.

As for FS, you can't get any cheaper training. Whatever the owner does doesn't seem to influence the school. He isn't there, and the training is fairly consistant to other training I have taken. No one is trying to indoctinate you into anything (except maybe FS). Take one or two courses and your membership was paid back easily. Any future courses you take are just gravy. I have taken over 30 courses there, comes out to less than $10 a course. I am going to Rangemaster January, that one course will cost more than my FS membership. Should I also be concerned with Tim Givens religion?

Have you been to FS? Usually people who don't like it haven't been there. I have no favorites when it comes to training, I am semi-retired so I can afford to go anywhere and I do. But I hate to have someone NOT go there because of hearsay. I have had LEO's (many agencies), Special Forces, active military, Federal Agents, Secret Service, border patrol, foriegn military in my class. They don't seem to worry or have their training harmed.

I ran many ranges in my time in the Army. As long as the students had an open mind, everything went well. They learned, I learned, and everyone was safe. I don't remember anyone being so stupid that they had some sort of muscle memory that overtook their body and they couldn't function or learn correctly. Only problems if they were not willing and open to training and they THOUGHT they new better.

So, I say have an open mind, if you want to try it out buy a certificate off someone, and see how it goes. Don't like it, don't go back. And don't think only one form of training is the best, be open to differnt forms of training and try it, but when it comes to saving your life or your partners, do what works best for you. Having other training won't cripple you, I guarantee it! Unless you are an idiot, and then don't worry, you won't pass the Academy anyway.

[surfish95747]

I would say look at your local community college and see if they have a POST program or offer any firearms classes. I took my firearms POST classes through Sierra College up here in Northern California.

[BigKevLA]

TAC-1 is good to go for LE Academy prep.