Old Dog
Member
This is pretty much all there is.Whether or not they should shoot in front of the class depends entirely upon what the purpose of the class is.
I expect professionalism, courtesy, respect and competence from any instructor, why would gun instructors be different?
I shoot in front of academy classes, but generally minimally and only to demo some basic stuff (drawing, presentation, shooting from unusual positions or compressed ready/recovery positions, double-taps, i.e., difference between hammer pairs vs. controlled pairs, one-handed and point shooting). It's only about demonstrating proper form/technique, not showing off what remain of my shooting skills. I do not shoot in front of qual courses for line officers.
I have never taught civilian classes, but have attended a few. Generally speaking, I've usually been disappointed. A lot of ego rampant, in my view.
We do have two stellar facilities in the Northwest, FAS and Thunder Ranch with awesome staff and guest instructors, can't speak highly enough of either. A little coarse language? The instructors will ask if it bothers anyone, and even if a little bomb slips out, they're always professional in all other regards.
Do I require someone who's been there, done that? No. The two veterans of law enforcement gunfights I've known personally would both make crappy instructors. One is a crusty veteran former SRT leader who has no interest in teaching, the other a deputy years ago who couldn't really articulate what she did - she mainly just reacted in accordance with her training (although her performance was exemplary). One of best firearms instructors I've ever met is an Air Force vet who never touched a firearm in the service and spent most of his LE career either tussling with inmates in the jail or riding a desk.
A shout-out to our mods here who've provided some excellent input throughout this thread.