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AR15.COM
10/5/2007 7:10:04 AM EDT
I have the option of taking the NRA Pistol Instructor course in a few weeks.  Can anyone shed some additonal light on this course and if it's worth the time/money?  

Thanks.

--Don
10/5/2007 9:09:13 AM EDT
[#1]
It's a good class, it will teach you to teach "The NRA Way". It has useful info on the way people learn and how to present information so people will retain it. It is very basic re. shooting, no high speed low drag stuff.

I don't know what you are looking for or how much it is costing you. It can be a bit boring and if you are an experianced shooter you will not be learning any advanced shooting skills. It is a good entry level instructors class.

Gringop
10/5/2007 10:04:53 AM EDT
[#2]
Thanks.  The class is only $200, and I think it'll be worth it.  I figure I can use that as a stepping stone for other training down the road.
10/5/2007 10:11:21 AM EDT
[#3]
I would suggest taking it.

When it comes to the test at the end, just be aware that there is as much emphasis in course delivery as there is on the technical aspects, and some of their pet methods of delivery and aids are well past their sell by date.

That is the part of the test that people fail on... learn their ways and their ideas on teaching methods/aids and be prepared to regurgitate them.

--------

NRA Qualifications:
Range Officer
Basic Pistol
Basic Rifle
Self Protection in the Home
10/5/2007 10:57:30 AM EDT
[#4]

Quoted:
I would suggest taking it.

When it comes to the test at the end, just be aware that there is as much emphasis in course delivery as there is on the technical aspects, and some of their pet methods of delivery and aids are well past their sell by date.

That is the part of the test that people fail on... learn their ways and their ideas on teaching methods/aids and be prepared to regurgitate them.

--------

NRA Qualifications:
Range Officer
Basic Pistol
Basic Rifle
Self Protection in the Home


So what is the test like?  Is it written or hands-on?
10/5/2007 10:59:22 AM EDT
[#5]
Written, mix of T/F, short answer, m/c if I remember right.  
10/5/2007 11:03:45 AM EDT
[#6]
Again, the fine folks of ARFCOM didn't let me down.  Thanks to everyone for the info so far.
10/8/2007 2:07:15 PM EDT
[#7]
I just got home from a weekend NRA Rifle instructor class.  This is the third class I've taken from the same Training Counselor, now a STC.   (and drove out of state for this one)  Your best bet is to look around in your area and find out how active your TC has been and get some reviews for him/her from those folks that took the class.   That can and will make a big difference.   Also if you have  completed the basic pistol course as a prior student it will help you with your presentations.  Review your book and drink plenty of coffee prior to day one of BIT.  


Enjoy!! and pass on those KSA's.
10/14/2007 10:00:05 PM EDT
[#8]
I found it to be a good class overall. Not much shooting in mine. I took it with a couple of buddies on the job. We've been training other LEOs since taking it. It gave us the confidence boost needed to start running an informal class for our friends/partners. The first time you run a firing line full of strangers can be daunting and this is the class to get that out of your system.

Basically it was a lot of common sense, regurgitation, public speaking, and presentation. It's NOT a shooting class in the traditional sense.

Tim.
10/22/2007 6:46:02 PM EDT
[#9]
If you have a good T/C, you can learn some very effective teaching methods.

Randy
11/2/2007 3:29:59 AM EDT
[#10]
UPDATE

I took the class this past weekend at the NRA Headquarters here in VA.  The instructor was John Howard, NRA's National Training Instructor.

It was a good class, well worth it as far as I am concerned.  I would definitely recommend him as an instructor, and it we weren't moving out of state I'd try to get more classes from him.
11/2/2007 3:47:29 AM EDT
[#11]
I took the pistol/Shotgun instructor class.I have also taken their patrol rifle class. I thought it was pretty good. What I didn't like was we had some shooters that....omg cant shoot and it slowed the class down.

How can you be a shooting instructor and not be able to shoot.
11/6/2007 12:51:56 PM EDT
[#12]
Don - John is a good person, very easy to work with and knowledgeable. Glad you enjoyed the course.
Which did you take, the basic pistol instructor course or the basic pistol course?

Bronz - you are talking about the LEAD courses, handgun/shotgun and patrol rifle. Different courses altogether.

Randy




11/8/2007 9:56:37 AM EDT
[#13]
Randy

It was the Basic Pistol Instructor Course.

--Don
11/8/2007 10:17:17 AM EDT
[#14]
I found it very basic and very boring. The instructors literally read the material off the overheads with their backs to the class.

The NRA materials were good back in the day but the course sorely needs to be refreshed.

YMMV
11/8/2007 10:22:31 AM EDT
[#15]
Yes, there were times like that in my class as well.  Again, I knew this wasn't an action class so I didn't expect too much.