Pistol Training in DFW.
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Geronimo45
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http://www.tacproshootingcenter.com/index.html
TacPro's got a reputation for being a very good place.
TacPro's got a reputation for being a very good place.
Snarlingiron
Member
If you want real life practical no nonsense training, you will be hard pressed to do better than Tac Pro Shooting Center. It is a bit of a haul from Dallas, but I don't think I have ever heard of anyone coming away from the training less than satisfied. BTW, be prepared to work and sweat your butt off for three days.
http://www.tdsa.net/
They come highly recommended from the THR_DFW YahooGroup.
http://www.txcqb.com/welcome.html
There's also Close Quarters Battle in Grandview, TX (~45 minutes south of Ft. Worth on I-35W), but I've never met anyone who took a class there.
They come highly recommended from the THR_DFW YahooGroup.
http://www.txcqb.com/welcome.html
There's also Close Quarters Battle in Grandview, TX (~45 minutes south of Ft. Worth on I-35W), but I've never met anyone who took a class there.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
I've been a member at TDSA (though not for several years now) and talked with Len Baxley a number of times as well as used the facilities there. I'm also a current member at Tac-Pro and have taken four classes with Bill Davison.
TDSA has some talented staff; but they are geared more towards comeptitive shooting. They can absolutely teach you to shoot well. When I was a member there, they were steadily improving the facilities; but the range still left a bit to be desired. They also had problems with vandalism that made some of the range equipment inoperable for long periods.
Tac Pro's courses are geared towards fighting. You will definitely learn how to shoot well and the Primary courses emphasize that first; but their courses and techniques are integrated towards learning how to fight with firearms (which isn't surprising for a guy with Bill Davison's background). In addition to the British special forces experience (Royal Marine Commando, Counter-Revolutionary Warfare instructor, SBS, etc.), Davison also worked in executive protection services in Africa and Asia for a number of years and has recent experience from Iraq and Thailand. Tac-Pro was basically built with money he earned "gun in hand" to borrow shamelessly from Ashley Emerson.
The facilities at Tac-Pro are also top notch. I've shot at most of the ranges around Dallas and haven't seen better facilities or a better maintained range. They suffer from their share of vandalism and idiots too; but they seem to be better about repairing the damage promptly.
Honestly, I think you'll do well getting instruction from either place. TDSA is a little closer to Dallas. Tac Pro is on the west side of Ft. Worth. TDSA has more of a competitive shooter/police flavor. Tac-Pro is definitely more military/tactical team oriented in its training. In both cases, the background of the instructor has a lot to do with the flavor of the training.
TDSA has some talented staff; but they are geared more towards comeptitive shooting. They can absolutely teach you to shoot well. When I was a member there, they were steadily improving the facilities; but the range still left a bit to be desired. They also had problems with vandalism that made some of the range equipment inoperable for long periods.
Tac Pro's courses are geared towards fighting. You will definitely learn how to shoot well and the Primary courses emphasize that first; but their courses and techniques are integrated towards learning how to fight with firearms (which isn't surprising for a guy with Bill Davison's background). In addition to the British special forces experience (Royal Marine Commando, Counter-Revolutionary Warfare instructor, SBS, etc.), Davison also worked in executive protection services in Africa and Asia for a number of years and has recent experience from Iraq and Thailand. Tac-Pro was basically built with money he earned "gun in hand" to borrow shamelessly from Ashley Emerson.
The facilities at Tac-Pro are also top notch. I've shot at most of the ranges around Dallas and haven't seen better facilities or a better maintained range. They suffer from their share of vandalism and idiots too; but they seem to be better about repairing the damage promptly.
Honestly, I think you'll do well getting instruction from either place. TDSA is a little closer to Dallas. Tac Pro is on the west side of Ft. Worth. TDSA has more of a competitive shooter/police flavor. Tac-Pro is definitely more military/tactical team oriented in its training. In both cases, the background of the instructor has a lot to do with the flavor of the training.
I have trained at www.apgtraining.com and I learned more in two days than I have in many, many years of shooting. The owner is an incredible guy, and great teacher. I don't know all of the instructors but Heith and Jim are amazing. They focus primarily on fighting, and marskmanship in that area. Thier classes are also a little cheaper than most because they haven't been around a long time. Hieth has a lot of experience as a LEO and was on the Collin County SO SWAT for a number of years, and Jim is a U.S Marine with a myriad of experience in private security and EP work.
TDSA has another fellow working there named Leonard (not Baxley) who will also work with an individual shooter for a reasonable amount. My wife thought he was a good fellow and that she learned quite a bit in the 4 hours of instruction she received.
He is a local PI and does bodyguard work, too. I have met him and he may not be Mr. Super Tactical, but he handles his weapons well and will not waste your time.
I do not know your current level of training. If you are interested, I can dig up his contact information.
Good luck. Either of the ranges mentioned have good reputations.
He is a local PI and does bodyguard work, too. I have met him and he may not be Mr. Super Tactical, but he handles his weapons well and will not waste your time.
I do not know your current level of training. If you are interested, I can dig up his contact information.
Good luck. Either of the ranges mentioned have good reputations.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
Texas,
Post a little more about your skill and experience level, along with what you're looking to get out of the class, and you'll probably get responses better geared for your specific situation.
What kind of defensive class? state minimum CCW requirement? 3 day long + 1000 rd class? improve basic carry skills, or learn them for the first time? . . etc . . .
Post a little more about your skill and experience level, along with what you're looking to get out of the class, and you'll probably get responses better geared for your specific situation.
What kind of defensive class? state minimum CCW requirement? 3 day long + 1000 rd class? improve basic carry skills, or learn them for the first time? . . etc . . .
Go to Glocktalk and search for Steve Moses. Good guy!
Also, if you are willing to drive to the Austin area:
www.krtraining.com
Also, if you are willing to drive to the Austin area:
www.krtraining.com
ProficientRifleman
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Texas Pistol Academy
Call Robert Duhon at Texas Pistol Academy.
Or go to www.texaspistol.com
Robert is a former Special Forces Soldier and is a superb instructor.
Prices are reasonable and he's in your neighborhood, up in Whiteright.
Good luck!
Call Robert Duhon at Texas Pistol Academy.
Or go to www.texaspistol.com
Robert is a former Special Forces Soldier and is a superb instructor.
Prices are reasonable and he's in your neighborhood, up in Whiteright.
Good luck!
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
Don't forget to use the archives here at THR either... you will usually find some Texas shooters commenting on their instruction at each of these schools and that can be valuable info in determining where you want to train.
Ken, I am a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I have never had any Pistol training before; unless you count my CHL. I am looking for a beginner class, taught by an instructor that knows what he/she is doing and is not full of it. One-two day’s preferred length.
Thanks.
jfruser,
Thank you for your help.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
No reason to be embarrassed, Texas. We all start at the beginning.
Good for you for recognizing you need, and are seeking, professional training. Most folks shoot 50 rounds on Sunday morning and figure they're billy badass after it. Ego often prevents one from learning. I commend your humility and a teachable spirit.
Good for you for recognizing you need, and are seeking, professional training. Most folks shoot 50 rounds on Sunday morning and figure they're billy badass after it. Ego often prevents one from learning. I commend your humility and a teachable spirit.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
Well, I can tell you that either class you are considering will be a good learning experience. Tac-Pro doesn't do a class length shorter than three days. You can hire Bill Davison for private instruction though for a day or half-day - and you'll definitely get your money's worth. I've taken Primary and Intermediate Handgun there and they do well even with beginning shooters.
TDSA also does well with shooters who have never had formal instruction and much of the shooting technique they teach can be adapted to fighting classes easily. I think they are also more flexible with regards to class length.
I think there are several reviews at THR from people who have had training at both. I would give those reviews a read and see which class is going to fit your needs better. Definitely get the formal instruction though. One of the guys in my Primary pistol class at Tac Pro was an IDPA champ and a former military marksmanship instructor and I think even he was surprised by the benefits from formal instruction. If you aren't at the level, the benefits are even greater.
hydrashok407
Member
I, too, would recommend Steve Moses. www.northtexastactical.com is his website. I just finished his Tactical Carbine Course with him and Hany Mahmoud as the instructors. There were law enforcement as well as civilians in the course, and I believe EVERYBODY got something out of it.
Steve Moses has also written a book and writes articles for SWAT magazine.
Steve Moses has also written a book and writes articles for SWAT magazine.
Paul Gomez
Member In Memoriam
Short notice, I know, but Bill is offering his three day Primary Pistol class over the Labor Day weekend. Normally, this is a Fri/Sat/Sun class but with the holiday falling on Monday, it's being held on Sat/Sun/Mon.
1-3 Sep Primary Defensive Pistol
I'm planning to drive up for this one.
1-3 Sep Primary Defensive Pistol
I'm planning to drive up for this one.
Perhaps I can ask a related question. I am looking for a 1-day shooting class around DFW for my wife. She has been doing indoor shooting to learn the basics (she just got into actually shooting a few weeks ago) and I would like to send her to an environment which is a little less sterile than indoors, where she is walking/running and shooting, and can have someone actually instruct her as apposed to me. I.e. I think I know how to shoot, but I don’t really know how to teach someone.
Ideally she would shoot at least 200 rounds.
Ideally she would shoot at least 200 rounds.
Kindrox:
I am in the same boat. Teaching family can be more difficult than teaching friends or strangers.
See my previous post. Four hours of one-on-one training will probably cost the same or less than a one day class...and teach more since it is tailored to her.
I am in the same boat. Teaching family can be more difficult than teaching friends or strangers.
See my previous post. Four hours of one-on-one training will probably cost the same or less than a one day class...and teach more since it is tailored to her.
If you don't mind coming to Houston, I highly reccomend MAST Solutions. They are an excellent group of instructors with a lot of real world experience. One of things I like most about them is that they are not married to any one doctrine. They try and show you a little bit of everything so that you can decide what works for you. Their website is www.mastsolutions.com.
I just completed their Basic Carbine class yesterday and have previously taken Level I and II pistol with them. They are very good at teaching beginning and experience shooters alike.
I just completed their Basic Carbine class yesterday and have previously taken Level I and II pistol with them. They are very good at teaching beginning and experience shooters alike.
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