Best training you have attended???

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Maveri9720

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Hey all, I am starting to look into a good training class to attend. I tried searching, but it won't let me include "best" in the search, so it is kinda hard to search for.

I am new to CCW and don't even have my permit yet. I am not new to guns, but outside of military training, I have never had any classroom/practical training.

I want to know what has been the best training class you have attended and why. There are alot of them out there and I want to make sure I get my money's worth, b/c I can probably only afford one class a year at best.

I am interested in Knife Defense, Fighting Pistol/Force on Force and also CQB w/Shotgun.

I want real world training and not just mindless drills and boring classroom talk.

I live in Georgia, but don't mind traveling to other states for training, as long as it is well worth it. I was looking at Gabe Suarez training and also RangeMaster.

I would really appreciate reviews and input from people who have taken classes and what they think is essential to take and what they have found to love and what they could have lived without.

Thanks all for your time and help.
 
You can't go wrong with range master or Gabe, seriously both of them offer top notch instruction. Much better than what you'll find at front sight and thunder ranch and the likes.

Also look into Tactical Response for more fire arms training. And Tom Sotis with AMOK! for knife.
 
Robin Brown - pistol,

Paul Gomez - carbine and combat med,

SouthNarc - unarmed
 
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The biggest thing to rember when going to training of any sort is to bring an open mind, drop all your preconcieved notions and do it there way.
 
I would second Robin Brown. His class had more impact on my defensive handgun skills than any professional classes I have had which are many. Not much talking and alot of shooting. There is one here in Knoxville in Oct. Pm me or hso for details.
Jim
 
Depends on what you're looking for. If you're in law enforcement, anything by Phil Messina shouldn't be missed for anything. I got solid, save-your-life handgun instruction from Massad Ayoob and really good stuff (only weapons retention and disarming so far) from Marty Hayes. If you're interested in martial arts and a little longer-term approach Stevan Plinck is as good as you'll find anywhere on this continent.
 
Where in GA?

I know of a number of good events in GA.
I hear good things about Shivworks for contact distance engagements. He's coming to Carrollton in October; I'll be there. Probably not a good first course, though.
For an intro to defensive handgunning, it's hard to beat Randy Cain. He's coming to Conyers in November. This is an excellent first course, and a good refresher. I'll be there, too, even though I've taken it twice before and Randy's advanced course before.
Another recommended school in GA is the Rogers school. I'm not sure how it would be for a beginner, but when you get to the point that you are working on speed, it's a great school.
For shotgun, I'd go with Awerbuck, Cain, Jeans or Haught.
I've trained with Rangemaster and can recommend them. They come to GA & AL on occasion.
If you want to go to a fixed facility, Gunsite is great. Thunder Ranch in Texas was great. I expect TR in OR is just as good. However, it's a lot more cost efficient to train with the traveling instructors, and you can usually do that without using much vacation time. Most courses are 2-3 days, and are usually over a weekend.
 
RangeMaster

I used to live in Memphis, and I took Defensive Handgun Level I and Level II at Rangemaster. Both courses were excellent. I now wish I had taken the Level III handgun, defensive shotgun and non-lethal weapons courses before I moved to Minnesota.
 
I'd listen to Tim . . . he's one of the most widely trained fellas I know that still has a good head on his shoulders. Gotta luv ya, Tim. . .

Best I've attended? The NTI, and each month's study group Skip, Jim, Hersch and the team coordinate the rest of the year. www.teddytactical.com

But, you're all the way down there. So, my best isn't gonna help you. I learned a lot about myself, my skills, my limitations, and how far I could exceed my self imposed limits with Steve Silverman of FRI.

If you can't get to a class from an iterant trainer like Steve, Tom Givens is probably one of the top level trainers close to you. He's had that school for a LONG time, and trained a LOT of people.
 
There was this one time, years ago, when a friend of mine and I put on lederhosen and wandered around outside Miami International Airport. :evil:
 
Jeff Gonzales is tops, so is Larry Vickers. Jeff was a 12-year SEAL, Larry served with D. -also makes some fine M1911s that I can't afford.

Also try Walt Marshall, he survived ~5,000 high risk entries as a SWAT Team leader.

Anything they teach will have been refined from real world SHTF experiences.
 
As usual, I agree with Tim. Randy Cain for intro to handgun, shotgun, long gun.......done 'em all, more than once. I've trained with others too but he stands out, especially for a new shooter. He teaches a lot in central Florida but travels, as Tim said.

AVESGUY
 
For edged weapons I recommend Steve Tarani. I've trained under him for two edged weapons and one improvised weapons class. The man knows his stuff and is an excellent trainer. Last summer he taught a class with Randy Cain here in MI.
 
I've been training for years with The Defensive Edge in Minnesota.

The only other training I'm familiar with is Tactical Response in Tennesee.
 
hso or j, can one of you pm me contact info for the oct class in ktown? (like, a link to pricing, etc)
 
I unconditionally recommend Range Master in Memphis. I believe Tom Givens is one of the best instructors in the country bar none and someone I am very proud to call a friend!

I also think if you have the bucks, a trip to GUNSITE in Arizona is a life-changing experience. Every shooter should take at least one class at GUNSITE...it is, after all, the Mother Church.

For sharp things, I absolute believe in Michael Janich. I've gone through his 3-class sequence and it is superb.

I'm hoping to have Paul Gonzalez and SouthNarc on SG in the near future!

Here's our SHOOTING GALLERY list of recommended instructors.

BTW, there are people in the industry who will no longer speak to me because I am VERY careful about who we present on SG and COWBOYS! Tequila and I stand behind anyone we put on the air...period.

Michael B
 
Tim Burke said:
For an intro to defensive handgunning, it's hard to beat Randy Cain. He's coming to Conyers in November. This is an excellent first course, and a good refresher. I'll be there, too, even though I've taken it twice before and Randy's advanced course before.
Click to expand...
AVESguy said:
As usual, I agree with Tim. Randy Cain for intro to handgun, shotgun, long gun.......done 'em all, more than once. I've trained with others too but he stands out, especially for a new shooter. He teaches a lot in central Florida but travels, as Tim said.
Click to expand...
+1 on Randy Cain's TH101
I took it as my first firearms class in May, and I'll be going back in December. :) I did a write up here.
 
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