Training camps?

[in0de]

Hi guys, I've been around firearms my entire life, but exclusively for hunting up until about a year or so ago. At that time I decided to get a few firearms for self defense and get my CWP. After getting that, I have done my fair share of practicing on my own with the few handguns I own (glock 23, S&W 340PD, and Walther P22 just for fun), but now I want to take that to a bit of a higher level. I want to get some professional training to help ensure that when/if I need my firearm, I will have the training necessary to make it as effective as possible.

In pursuit of this training, I've asked around at my LGS, but have pretty much hit a dead end. I basically got that deer in the headlights look when I asked about training classes... Anyway, I'm wondering if any of you guys can help point me in the right direction for some good training classes in my area/region (dont mind traveling). I've heard of Blackwater up in VA, but I don't know very much about it...

I'm also about to get a shotgun to use for home defense, so any pointers on shotgun combat training would be appreciated too.


Thanks very much for any info!


-Lee

 

[in0de]

Might help if I let everyone know that I live near Charleston, SC.

 

[nhhillbilly]

Blackwater has a very good rep. I have heard Storm Mountain in West Va is very good. Mid south is also very good. I do not believe you will go wrong with any of these three. The grandaddy is Gun site in AZ..

 

[TarpleyG]

There's all sorts of places--Gunsite, Front Sight, LFI, etc. I recommend attending a Randy Cain (Cumberland Tactics) class in Lakeland, FL. It's about 500 miles from Columbia so you can drive it in a day, spend 3 days shooting, and drive back.

http://www.guntactics.com

If you are interested, PM me and I can get you in touch with the right people to get you all set up.

Greg

 

[El Tejon]

in0de, if only we had more gun owners like you who recognize that mere possession does not solve the problem.

We are blessed to have many excellent instructors openly teaching now. I have written on some of my experiences with Louis Awerbuck, Ken Hackathorn, Chapman Academy, Chuck Taylor, Thunder Ranch (Tejas) (rifle, pistol, shotgun), inter alia, both here (e.g. I put the shotgun class at TR in the shotgun section) and at TFL (at TFL I use my eeevil alter ego KSFreeman). Several other members have excellent "write ups" of others such as Gunsite, THE Pat Rogers, DTI, Mas Ayoob, etc. Use that search function thingy and you should find all kinds of stuff.

I would start with the pistol and work with the handgun for several classes before you branch out, just my .02. (For some reason new students always want "urban/tacitcal/mallninjarific" carbine even though they never carry their AR-15 to the grocery).

Best wishes, see you on the training range!

BTW, we say "gun skul", not training camps. VPC will call them "training camps" with the prefix "terroristic" soon enough!

 

[dawg23]

Wow. First assumed this thread would be about Al Queda training camps.

Tactical (Defense) trainers are available everywhere. In some cases you go to them (Thunder Ranch, Gunsite, Blackwater, etc).

In other cases they come to you as traveling trainers (and in many cases you also have the option of going to them). Examples are:

Tactical Response (James Yeager) http://www.tacticalresponse.com/
Rangemaster (Tom Givens) www.rangemaster.com
Gabe Suarez www.suarezinternational.com
John Farnam www.defense-training.com

Plenty of options out there. These are just a few. Most charge about $300 for a two day class. Visit their websites and get an idea of the courses offered, training locations and schedules.

 

[ctdonath]

LFI in New Hampshire
Storm Mountain in West Virginia
Gunsite in Arizona

 

[in0de]

Ok, in retrospect the thread name probably wasn't the best choice I've ever made. I think it is probably a hold back from other sports I'm into that have "training camps"... skydiving, freediving, etc.

Anyway, thanks for all the advice... I'll start looking at the ones you guys mentioned and try to come up with one that can fit into my budget and work schedule. I'm sure that once I start reading into them I'll have a ton more questions.


-in0de

 

[dawg23]

inOde:

PM sent.

 

[C. H. Luke]

Can't comment on BW as haven't been there yet. Know at least 4 who have and liked it a lot, except for the snakes and primitve lodging.

Own favorite outfit is in CT, Defense Associates, Chuck Taylor teaches at least twice per season there:

www.defenseassociates.com

 

[ShackleMeNot]

We (Tactical Response) will be in NC in November for two classes.

November 5 - 6 Tactical Pistol Carthage, NC
November 7 - 8 Advanced Tactical Pistol Carthage, NC

 

[Drav]

We (Tactical Response) will be in NC in November for two classes.

November 5 - 6 Tactical Pistol Carthage, NC
November 7 - 8 Advanced Tactical Pistol Carthage, NC

I'd like to take your shotgun class. If I don't get in the one at the end of September, when do you think the next one would be?

I'm in Huntsville, AL, so you guys are the closest.

 

[W Turner]

Another option is Shootrite Academy in Huntsville, AL. The owner/lead instructor is a guy named Tiger McKee who is an adjunct instructor at Gunsite. I have not been able to take a class yet, but I have heard nothign but good things about him.

I think the Defensive Pistol Class is $275 or so for a 2 day class and Huntsville is a day's driving away.


W

 

[Drav]

Wow, thanks, I was not aware of that. I'll look him up, thank you!