Looking for instruction

[hardlymick]

..I've searched a little bit here at CalGuns, and more extensively on the wider web. Like almost every other topic regarding firearms, there is a metric ton of information and options. So much so, that I am turning to the good folks here for some guidance or, if you're comfortable, referrals. I'd like to keep it inside the community here, if possible.

I am most interested in competitive target shooting. Although I may never compete, that is the course of education I'd like to eventually pursue. I don't know where I should begin.

-NRA First Step seems redundant - I took a basic class already, though it was not NRA certified
-NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course could definitely teach me some things, but I feel like over the course of 8 hours, much of it would also be slow and/or remedial.

There are defensive/tactical classes offered by a number of schools, which seem appealing, but which one to choose? I'd like to approach this as a sport, and not some sort of para-military action. I don't really trust Yelp ratings for something like this, either. It's too bad I just missed the CGSSA 14 Event which would have been a no brainer for me.

In short, I need insight and opinions from real shooting enthusiasts about what to start with and who to see. Maybe soon, I can join you all at one of our local events.

[JGalt]

check this place out

http://www.civilianarmstraining.com/index.php/classes/tactical-handgun/handgun1

[Ricky-Ray]

If your referring to the pistol skillbuilder clinic that just passed we will have another one soon.

If you looking to shoot IDPA check out this thread for their IDPA clinic, http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=731432

[hardlymick]

Thanks for the replies. I signed up for the CGSSA event in september Ricky-Ray.

JGalt - I appreciate the response. I checked out that site. It's a perfect example of the opposite of what I am looking for…haha

I re-titled the thread to hopefully get some more replies.

Thanks again

[SuperSet]

That IDPA clinic is probably your best bet since you asked about competitive shooting.
What's your current skill level now?

[Ricky-Ray]

Taking a defensive handgun course not hurt. You would learn to draw from holster and shoot from concealment which would be useful for IPDA shooting.

The IDPA clinic is the best bet if you want to shoot in IDPA.

[hardlymick]

Superset - Definitely beginner. I'm not new to marksmanship sports though. I spent 10 years practicing the art form of archery.

Ricky-Ray - I'd be very interested in a defensive handgun course, but the one JGalt recommended seems to start with what I've learned in not the ideal shooting/sight position for competitive shooting. Am I incorrect?

[SuperSet]

Ok, give that IDPA clinic a try. I think it's a good start for you since it deals with safely drawing and reholstering, moving safely through the course of fire and serves as a good intro to the numerous pistol 'action' shooting sports.
BTW, I'm assuming that your wording of competitive shooting sports entails 'action' shooting (i.e. run-n-gun). If you were thinking about bullseye shooting, that's another ball of wax.

[hardlymick]

SuperSet - I think IDPA would be a little bit more fun than bullseye. I did bullseye with archery, and it is pretty fun, but archery doesn't offer anything like action shooting (unless horseback, which I never tried).

[Ricky-Ray]

Superset - Definitely beginner. I'm not new to marksmanship sports though. I spent 10 years practicing the art form of archery.

Ricky-Ray - I'd be very interested in a defensive handgun course, but the one JGalt recommended seems to start with what I've learned in not the ideal shooting/sight position for competitive shooting. Am I incorrect?

I've done several classes with Civilian Arms. It's a different technique. Probably not the best for IDPA but I did shoot IDPA a few times with their technique. It's doable. Probably not the fastest times but it's doable.

[EatsEverything]

Does anyone have equipment available for loan for the novice clinics? It'd be nice to do it without having to make the investment ahead of time to test it out.

Obviously it's not going to be very quick or easy, but can we just shove mags into dungarees or cargo pants until we get a proper belt?

[SuperSet]

Try Nathan, who runs the clinic.

[Ricky-Ray]

Does anyone have equipment available for loan for the novice clinics? It'd be nice to do it without having to make the investment ahead of time to test it out.

Obviously it's not going to be very quick or easy, but can we just shove mags into dungarees or cargo pants until we get a proper belt?

Depending on what firearm you plan on using I might have some stuff you can borrow.

[heidad01]

Walk before you try running. If you had a basic class, you should know the safe handling and shooting basics.
Free videos on utube for you to see. But before you get into competition move and shoot, you need to be fairly comfortable and accurate with your gun. That means alot of range time. Once passed that stage, you can go for IDPA or any other competitive event which you said you may not ever try.
Tactical classes (good ones) are extremely hard to find. Make sure you are being taught by someone who has been there and done that. Most of the tacticool classes are staffed by very nice people who have never been in a loud argument let alone a real life threatening SHTF shooting situation.
You also mentioned that you are not into tactical so this should suffice.

[hardlymick]

thanks heidad01 - I took the CGSSA Pistol 101 course mentioned in this thread and it was a blast. Exactly what I had in mind when I posed the question.

Since then, I've shot about 500 rounds during a couple of range visits. I plan on continuing with IDPA style training because it is fun. The tactical aspect(s) of it are ancillary.