Shooting lessons

[Norton]

So, I've got about 900 rounds through the USP and while I'm clearly improving, it's painfully obvious that I've got a long way to go based on what I see some of the other folks at the range doing.

I concede that many of these folks are military or law enforcement trained but see no reason why I shouldn't strive for that level of excellence.

So the question is: Is it worth $35 for a 60-90 minute private session with an instructor? That seems a fair price when weighed against what private music teachers and the like are getting....

What sort of things should I expect to work on with an instructor given my relative lack of structured training?

The following person is pretty close by for us...anyone have any experience?

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rjp3579/thefirearmsinstructor/thefirearmsinstructor.html

 

[jsalcedo]

I would suggest firing from a sandbag rest and practicing sight alignment.

Dry fire practice helps as well.

The other shooters you mention that shoot better than you may be happy to give a few pointers if you ask.

Plinking tin cans is also a good way to improve quick aim and the
instant target reaction is a feedback reward for well aimed shots.

A lesson may be a good idea but only if they come highly recommended.

I've seen some hacks out there that don't know
USP from an IUD.

I've spent many years learning to shoot well and I think it was a heck of a lot of fun going from awful to accurate.

It does take a number of years but watching oneself improve is a reward in itself.

Good luck and good shooting.

 

[Waitone]

Have you attended any NRA basics courses?

Shooting is llike golf. You can obtain a level of proficiency without training but you will limit yourself.

My recommendation is to get the basics down first then go after the private lessons.

Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.

 

[Quartus]

Start with a .22 and learn the basics. Sight alignment, trigger control, breathing, timing.

 

[Standing Wolf]

The learning curve for shooting is measured in years and decades, not weeks and months. Lessons are good, but the three most critical factors are practice, practice, and more practice.

 

[Cliff]

Norton,
I'm a NRA certified pistol,shotgun instructor in Maryland,and I'd agree with everything the guys said above,especially Waitone. If you haven't taken a basic pistol course,it would behoove you to think about it. Its a basic course,it helps you lay the foundation for what ever you want to attain in shooting your pistol, whether its for personal protection/home defense,competitive shooting(IDPA,IPSC, etc, or just for personal proficency. If it's a matter of cost, then drive out to NRA headquarters one day,walk into the gift shop,and buy your own copy(book-less then $10 bucks) of the basic pistol course. Copies are right there against the back wall facing the parking lot. Or you may need nothing more then someone standing behind you for a few minutes giving you tips while they're watching you shoot.It's your choice of course.I for one wouldn't mind being paid for taking you through the basic pistol course,but, as I just said,if its a matter of cost/finances,send me a e-mail.Nobody but nobody,should be denied proper education in proficent shooting and safe gun handling.
Hope this helps

Cliff

 

[Norton]

Excellent suggestions one and all. I feel better to know that some of the steps that have been suggested are ones that I'm already enacting. In fact, I'm hoping to pick up a .22 at a gun show the first weekend in April.

As a musician, I know the validity of the maxim "perfect practice makes perfect". It's so true that if you just practice the same old bad habits, then you really just succeed in perfecting those bad habits.

With the upcoming Spring and Summer breaks, I'm looking forward to finding some quality time and, as Cliff said, have someone just look over my shoulder while I shoot. I have access to some military instructors whom I hope will be able to "straighten me out"

The NRA course sounds like the way to go as a starter.....I'll go looking for a date right now.