Training in Texas

[TX1911fan]

Anyone know of training facilities in Texas similar to Gunsite or Thunder Ranch? I'm thinking of going to AZ for Gunsite, but thought I'd see if anything comparable was closer to home. Thanks.

 

[Geronimo45]

Hmmm... only one that comes to mind is the TacPro center - taught by a former SAS guy, I think.

Edit: Apparently, an instructor to the SAS/SBS.

http://www.tacproshootingcenter.com/index.html

 

[GEM]

There is a place with as big as an installed physical plant as those two. However, there are many excellent training venues.

Near Austin - www.krtraining.com

There are folks in Houston and Dallas also (Steve Moses, Hany Mahoud (sp?)). There has been a good discussion on Glocktalk about TX training in the TX forum and their training forum.

 

[frostbiker]

Look up Paul Howe, of Blackhawk Down fame, in Nacadoches, Tx. He has a facility and offers classes and seminars several times a year. He caters mostly to professionals last I heard, but has several civvie classes every year in most every discipline he instructs on.

 

[Mr Kablammo]

Check this out, see what you think.


http://www.tigervalley.com/

 

[TX1911fan]

Tiger Valley looks good. Anyone been there?

Paul Howe looks impressive as well.

 

[Geister]

Tiger Valley is pretty expensive when you consider you have to bring your own ammo.

 

[rangerruck]

get in touch with top gun shooting range, in houston, there is a dude there ,
that is pretty tac'c out. Also try American shooting centers, they can point you in the right direction as well.

 

[wooderson]

Texas Close Quarters Battle in Grandview, TX offers a range of programs. Grandview is just about halfway between Ft. Worth and Waco right on I-35 (maybe a little bit north of halfway but not by much... I spent six months driving to that town to build a doctor's homestead). I still haven't found anyone who's attended their classes, unfortunately.

South of Dallas there's the Texas Defensive Shooting Academy - from what I understand it's good training but not the best range.

 

[Mr Kablammo]

An employee of McBride's in Austin went to Tiger Valley. He said it was really good. You will definitely shoot a lot of ammo. Tiger Valley also received a review in the 'Women and Guns' magazine published by SAF. I don't remember the issue but you may be able to find it online.

Probably every learning format was cheaper a year ago, just because of ammo prices, ouch!

 

[Fly320s]

If you want a rifle school, look into Rifles Only. They are west of Ft Worth.

 

[bvmr]

You won't regret going to Gunsite, if you get the chance. The best
trainers I know of in Texas are John and Vickie Farnam and their travelling handgun show. They train in Victoria every year or two, it seems.

bvmr

 

[frostbiker]

Rangerruck, you might be thinking of Brian Hoffner. He's okay, but I have to say 'pass' on his courses. I took a shotgun and pistol course and didn't think I got my money's worth.

There is a group that meets there on Tuesday nights at 7p.m. you might find more enjoyable. They go over a wider range of training. Always something different and keeps you on your toes.

 

[yellowdog762]

These are the ones in Texas that I have personal experience with and would recommend:

Houston Area:
Brian Hoffner:
Offers pistol, rifle, shotgun, knife and unarmed training. Has an extensive list of classes, they are all good. Most classes are at Top Gun Range or Impact Zone. You can take Brain’s pistol, rifle and/or shot gun class and then hone your skills with his building clearing and force on force classes. Then meet once a month to train/maintain with your pistol for a couple of hours on a Wednesday evening. Once a month on Sunday he has a hands/knife/pistol 4 hour class and covers misc topics like disarms and other good sheep dog skills. He then has a quarterly class on Saturday lasting all day that incorporates use of your pistol and long gun plus working out of your “go bag” or “ready vest”. Basically you learn it and the practice it on a regular bases.
http://www.hoffners.com/hoffsked.htm

http://www.topgunrange.com/IDPS.htm
Best indoor range in the city, possibly the state. Has Tactical Tuesday plus informal IDPA “type” shoots Thursdays and Sundays.
Gregg Garrett of Comp-Tac and others “mentor” the group.
Anyone can shoot but they must arrange to demonstrate minimum proficiency prior to doing so. Test is basically: Hit the target, don’t laser others or your self, keep your finger off the trigger except when the sights are on the target.
More info at:
http://www.tcht.net/
Go to “forums”
Also hosts instructors such as Farnam and Howe.

Gordon Carroll
Mostly competition oriented. Nice guy, has a good rep in the area, shoots IDPA courses well. Only one I haven’t trained with, yet.
http://www.glcshootingacademy.com/

Impact Zone west of Houston.
Private range with muliple bays. Private range with multiple bays. A good place to practice movement, rapid fire and just about anything else defensive oriented. Hosts many shoots (IDPA, 3 gun, Carbine and others) and guest instructors including Paul Howe and Gabe Suarez.
http://www.theimpactzone.us/index.php?js=1

East Texas:
Paul Howe
http://www.combatshootingandtactics.com/
While somewhat military/law enforcement based, there are many skills that cross over to civilian life. Paul has “been there and done that” many times but doesn’t have a big ego. He is an excellent instructor and a pleasure to be around.

Around Texas in various places:
Gabe Suarez:
Comes to Texas 4-5 times a year at various ranges. Another very good instructor that is a pleasure to be around. He is controversial but take one of his classes, you WILL learn something. Very “real world, man on the street” oriented.
http://www.suarezinternational.com/

 

[Nicolai]

Lone Star Weapons and Tactics is SW of San Antonio: www.lswat.com. Ran across their website because of products they sell, so don't have any first-hand experience on their training programs. Any THR members ever deal with them?