Basic handgun course

[DWS1117]

Can anyone recommend a good basic handgun course in the Houston, TX. area?
Is there something that will give me quality instruction but won't make me
poor (no LFI, Gunsite, Thunder Ranch)? Yes, I know they are not near
Houston.

My shooting history is short. Started shooting about 3 years ago. Lately my
shooting has been down right awful. I feel that I have developed one or more
bad habits that I can't identify. The one I can identify is a bad flinch.
Dry firing hasn't helped. The flinch occurs with any handgun. No problems
with my SKS. Hopefully my problems are something that can be corrected with
some formal training.

Why formal training?

When I started shooting I was one of those that figured that I could learn
all that was needed through watching others, reading, and just plain doing.
While these are fine and dandy these methods can also teach one bad habits.
I feel as if there is something that's missing. Hopefully training can place
another piece of the puzzle.

 

[Preacherman]

Please remember the old adage: "Buying cheap is buying dear". It's really, really worthwhile to save up your money and attend a top-flight shooting school. I'm afraid that Thunder Ranch is about to close, which eliminates one of the top two schools in the country, but Clint Smith will re-open a smaller version of it in Oregon next year. Gunsite is the other top candidate, and while they're expensive, they're definitely value for money.

 

[tetleyb]

Shooting a handgun is like anything else. It takes practice and GOOD training. You may THINK you know how to shoot, by reading and watching others, however I can gurantee you, you don't know it all; nor have you really scratched the surface.

There is no equal to good quality instruction. You say, "make you poor." Ok, I understand the point. Hopefully, you will understand mine: How much is your life worth? Go out and get some good quality instruction.

My personal opinion, you can't go wrong at Gunsite's Basic Defensive Pistol (250) Course or Thunderranch's Basic Defensive Pistol Course. As so far as others:

Top of the list, Scott Reitz at:

http://www.intltactical.com

Then I would look into Louis Awerbuck and Jeff Gonzalez. Picking a good instructor is like picking a good wife. Do your homework. Some people out there are not who they say they are...

 

[pax]

Preacherman,

There are good but less-widely-known (and less expensive) courses out there.

DWS1117,

I'd suggest you call around to your local gunshops and ask what they've got to offer. You may luck into something wonderful.

Also, about the flinch, see my post at http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?postid=31461#post31461

Good luck to you.

pax

 

[Paul Gomez]

It's not Houston, but KR Training in Austin offers very reasonably priced training on par with any of the 'big names'. Karl & Penny are wonderful people and a definite value-for-time/value-for-money. Their site is www.krtraining.com

 

[DWS1117]

Thanks for all your replies

Preacherman:

I agree with what you said about the big name training, and one day I fully intend to utilize the services of one of these institutions. Right now it is just not in the cards. It’s not just the cost of the course, but also the cost of the ammo, travel, lodging, and other things that are needed for these courses. Those other things can quickly add hundreds to the final cost.

tetleyb :

Hopefully, you will understand mine: How much is your life worth?

The point is well taken. As I said in the reply to Preacherman, when the financial situation does allow for one of these places it is on the top of the list.

I know that there is a LOT that I DON"T know. I do know that there are things that I am not doing correctly. That's why lots of formal training is in my future.


Paul Gomez:

Thanks for the link. This looks like something that may work. I will be giving them a call this week. My in-laws live in Austin so with the money that is saved on lodging I can probably take more than one course.

Pax:

Thanks for that thread. I will definitely try what you have suggested. Low and left is not an issue. I think my flinch comes from anticipating the recoil. It doesn't seem to matter whether it is the .45, .22, or .38. The flinch occurs with everything but my SKS and .22 rifles.

Again, thank to all of you for you help.

 

[El Tejon]

I'm going to the Gabe Suarez class in Houston in Feb. '05. Not exactly a beginners' course, but the same range sponsors other classes. I'll post the link thingie when I get back to the FBP tonight.

I teach the Home/Self Defense class at a gun club a couple of times a year. With Houston being the fourth largest city in the country, you should be able to find that down there. Decent starter class.

 

[DWS1117]

Thank for the info El Tejon. Keep me posted it sounds like what I am looking for.

Heck I wouldn't mind taking your Home/Self Defense class after I can complete some basics. Is your class for members of the club only or is it open to the public? Also,which club? Are they accepting new members?

 

[Paul Gomez]

El T is up in Indiana. He was just saying that with Houston being as large as it is, there ought to be something similar there.

You might want to check with Greg Garrett at www.comp-tac.com.

He's a kydex guru in Houston, but he's also a training junkie and an instructor under John Farnam. He'll probably be able to give you some pointers on where to look for local training.

 

[DWS1117]

DOH...location, location, location.

Note to self:
Look at the location of the poster next time goober.

Thanks for the wake up. Now pass the Ny-Quil

 

[ACP230]

Do you think shooting an air pistol for a while would help?

 

[hillbilly]

1) Call your local police departments and ask for a list of the NRA Basic Handgun instructors in your local area.

2) Go to http://www.nra.org and look for the link to the list of NRA Handgun Instructors in your local area.

hillbilly