I want to take some defensive shooting classes and was wondering if these guys are any good. I talked to one of the instructors for a while today and they seem pretty competent. Have any of you trained there? Or is there another place/person in Houston that you recommend?
Top Gun In Houston: Is the training there good?
- Thread starter PythonFan
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Detritus
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tagging onto this to see what folks say. as i recently found a reason to look at Top Gun again after nearly swearing to never darken their doorstep again.
First I will state I have no experience with their Teaching/training staff, Esp not their current staff, nor their range facilites (though the range did look nice last i was there).
In fact after looking noticing a line on their website, I don't think i've been in since they changed ownership and management (noted on teh site as having happened in Nov. 2004, so I too would be REAL interested to know if things have chaged since i was there last.
For the record what drove me away in 2003 (possibly very early 2004) were outrageous firearms prices and a bad attitude by some of the old staff. i won't go into this as it serves no point, i figure that these problems are WHY there are new owners and management.
First I will state I have no experience with their Teaching/training staff, Esp not their current staff, nor their range facilites (though the range did look nice last i was there).
In fact after looking noticing a line on their website, I don't think i've been in since they changed ownership and management (noted on teh site as having happened in Nov. 2004, so I too would be REAL interested to know if things have chaged since i was there last.
For the record what drove me away in 2003 (possibly very early 2004) were outrageous firearms prices and a bad attitude by some of the old staff. i won't go into this as it serves no point, i figure that these problems are WHY there are new owners and management.
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I have shot at the range and it is fine, especially since it is only 5 minutes away from me. I haven't bought anything there but range ammo and range time, both of which I considered to be reasonably priced (no bargains for sure though). I think the 9mm Speer Lawman ammo was like $9 and the Magtech 38 Spcl was like $12 or so. The range is $15. I have only shot there about 3 or 4 times. They do not require you to buy their ammo, I just ran out a coule of times. I just prefer outdoor ranges and go there when the weather is good.
The guys that I have talked to in there seem like good people, no real attitudes. I have not looked at any of their gun or equipment prices, but I would not expect to find any good deals in a place like that, and thus wouldn't shop there.
The guys that I have talked to in there seem like good people, no real attitudes. I have not looked at any of their gun or equipment prices, but I would not expect to find any good deals in a place like that, and thus wouldn't shop there.
BobCat
Member
A close friend of mine just took his renewal class there and had very good words for the CHL instructor.
He was sort of amused (in a sick way) that 3 of the 15 people in the class actually failed the shooting test. The threshold is quite low - I would have thought it impossible to fail - but he said one person only had 21 (of 50) rounds on the paper (not in the silhouette, on the paper at all). That is scary.
Anyway, he said the instructor was very good.
Regards,
Andrew
He was sort of amused (in a sick way) that 3 of the 15 people in the class actually failed the shooting test. The threshold is quite low - I would have thought it impossible to fail - but he said one person only had 21 (of 50) rounds on the paper (not in the silhouette, on the paper at all). That is scary.
Anyway, he said the instructor was very good.
Regards,
Andrew
Kenneth Lew
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I attended Hoffner's Pistol Operator's Course this April.
Brian Hoffner (the head instructor) is currently the senior HPD firearms instructor.
Hoffer is excellent in presentation and communication of the information to the students. He is a good marksman. You will learn something there about shooting on the move and from the holster under some stress. If you cannot learn anything there, you just wasted $395.00 and 1k ammo for nothing.
I'm pretty satisfied.
Brian Hoffner (the head instructor) is currently the senior HPD firearms instructor.
Hoffer is excellent in presentation and communication of the information to the students. He is a good marksman. You will learn something there about shooting on the move and from the holster under some stress. If you cannot learn anything there, you just wasted $395.00 and 1k ammo for nothing.
I'm pretty satisfied.
the 22 junkie
Member
Yeah, I go there frequently and I really like them. See if you can get my friend Rico to teach you, he knows what he's talking about.
rangerruck
Member
i would also inquire at collector's firearms, of their opinion of Houston area instructors, also the guys at Fountain firearms, they are proly the most knowledgeable firearms dudes in the city. See who they recommend. Also you might check out Pruetts firearms (or guns) up off of 290. he is very serious about guns and training for folks to get. Last but not least, ask the guys At American shooting centers. They have one top rated international shooter there named Ray (head range officer) and a babe named Aphrodite, i think, after the goddess of war, who is sick good and top rated at Ipsc shoots.
I think aprhodite was the goddess of love and sex. I may need to take some lessons from her...
I met Rico the other day and he gave a few minutes of a free lesson. Seemed like a good guy. I will probably sign up for the course, worst I can do is waste my time/money I guess. I don't think it will be a waste though...
I met Rico the other day and he gave a few minutes of a free lesson. Seemed like a good guy. I will probably sign up for the course, worst I can do is waste my time/money I guess. I don't think it will be a waste though...
rangerruck
Member
Athena, I got the A names mixed.
Good Place
I shoot there almost weekly. I also took my initial training at Top Gun, which was excellent (although my instructor is no longer there). Their prices are all on the high side. However, you get a clean airconditioned facility for your money. Also, the employees oversee the clients more than any range I've been to in Houston. I think this will really promote safety.
I shoot there almost weekly. I also took my initial training at Top Gun, which was excellent (although my instructor is no longer there). Their prices are all on the high side. However, you get a clean airconditioned facility for your money. Also, the employees oversee the clients more than any range I've been to in Houston. I think this will really promote safety.
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