Posted: 10/22/2009 3:44:32 PM EDT
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For some time I have been wanting to enhance my abilities. Given my budget, taking a class involving firing hundreds of rounds has been out of the question. But now that I have finally pieced together the components and equipment necessary to cast and reload my own cartridges, the ammo price for whatever class I might take has been drastically reduced. While the cost of most classes will still present a significant barrier, it is one that I can see overcoming at some point.
So, I am thinking that it is never to early to start looking at instructors and classes. I am looking for ideas on how to choose, questions to ask the instructor, things to look for in course descriptions, questions to ask former students, warning signs that should steer me away, etc. Also, what things should I work on to be as prepared for a class as possible without running the risk of learning bad habits that I will just have to unlearn later? Currently, I am switching back and forth between the isosceles and the Weaver stance, retraining myself to shoot with both eyes open, trying to speed up my trigger pull, and working on smoothing out my presentation, all while doing slow fire from about 10 yards. Anything in there that I should leave out for now? Anything that I might consider adding in? Background on me. I have been around guns most of my life, and shooting handguns, though not regularly for at least 18 years. I have taken a CCW class, and while I am not averse to hearing the safety basics repeated, I didn't really walk away from that class with a lot of knowledge that I didn't already have. That and a hunter safety class I took with my son are the only formal firearms education I have had. Looking forward to the responses. |
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I'd say look for a local instructor, they tend to be less expensive than a "big name" and many of them have trained with the "big names" anyway, and are willing to pass on what they learned.
Here are some questions I would ask: How long have you been teaching? How did you start teaching? (Teaching is a calling, not a job. If he says "I needed the money" move on) What experience do you have using firearms professionally? (Cop, Military, Other) How well do you know the law? (Have you ever testified in court? Conducted shooting investigations? Been involved in a shooting, or had a student involved in a shooting?- this may not be relevant to you if you are looking at a tactics course, but beware an instructor who claims to be a self-defense "expert" because he read a book/saw a video. If someone is teaching legal stuff, for example, a CCW course, I would look for some experience in this matter) "What was the last training course you attended?" (A good instructor will constantly refresh his own skill and look for updated techniques) Of the training you have attended, who was your favorite instructor? (Gives you an idea of their teaching style) What sort of gun should I carry? (This question should be answered with several questions, because there is no easy answer. There is no 100% solution to the perfect gun for everybody. Beware an instructor who thinks there is.) If you are looking for an instructor for your wife/girlfriend, ask if they have any experience teaching women to shoot. Arguably, effectively teaching women to shoot is a skill in itself. I also would not be afraid to ask for references. I feel compelled to disclose that I am a firearms instructor myself :) |
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The internet is a wonderful resource. It povides an outlet for the creativity of a lot of different people. IMO, looking at a company's website is a good start.
If there's a flash video of someone slapping away a gun using a wallet- Pass. If the instructors don't have faces- Pass.*** Anyone claiming to know the Secret of Self Defense- Pass Anything to the effect of "I trained (with) lots of secret people I can't talk about"- Pass Anyone who is unsure of or reluctant to give you their training resume, regardless of reason- Pass Anyone who gives off the "I am a tactical god & that is all you need to know" vibe- Pass ***There are some very good instructors like SouthNarc who fit into this category, & for good reason, but a little bit of research on the company/instructor will help guide you. |
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A lot of good avice given here. I'll add this:
If an instuctor states that a certain technique being taught by them is the ONLY way to do something, that is usually a red flag. Granted, there are some fundamental things that should only be done a certain way (two handed grip on a pistol, etc); Outside of those universally recognized fundamentals, there is no one way to skin a cat. If someone insists that there way is the only way, then you should seek training elsewhere. |
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IF you go to the trouble to take a class and pay the $$$ then that time should be spent learning; not wasted because your reloads don't work. I'm sure your handloads are just fine, but that's what everyone says that has problems with their ammo.
I'm a handloader myself and I always use factory ammo in classes; even when it's not required. |
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I can't/won't speak for any instructor and tell you exactly why some adhere to that, but I'll say that reloads are more prone to problems than factory ammo. Experience proves that to be true.
I'm wondering if there isn't a liability aspect to that also. I'm not too awful interested in that issue, so I'll let you search and see if you find any concrete answers. 
Heck, I had a squib round with WWB factory ammo once. |
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In my experience, no self defense instructor will let you take a class using reloads. There may be some competition specific classes that will allow reloads. It's a big liability issue.
I don't know if you are interested in just improving your handgun skills or if you are looking for more of fighting/self-defense with a handgun training. Different schools/ trainers teach different aspects. All of the advise given above by other posters is great re. evaluating instructors. I don't know anything about schools in FL, if you were in central Texas I could give you lot's of info. You may want to try contacting Rob S at http://www.tacticalyellowvisor.net. I know he is based in FL and knows what is good to go. Gringop |
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Typically faces are obscured because of persec. If the bio section of an instructor's website is full of cool-guy blurred out faces it prompts me to wonder why they didn't just skip the pictures. It smacks of "I'm so bad-ass that I can't tell you how bad-ass I am." Which usually means the person is full of shit. If the jacked up pictures are accompanied by something along the lines of numerous covert assignments...wet work...etc it pegs my run the hell away meter. Kind of like rex-kwon-do with guns.
It's part of the bigger picture that a website can present. On the ShivWorks website there are some pics of SoutNarc with his face obscured, but he has a damn good reason & the pics are in the tutorial section of the site. How-to's work a lot better with pictures. |