training?

[Blackhawk 6]

I do not fit Pax's criteria so I will not share my thoughts on the need for training.

With regard to those who can not afford training, most instructors allow the organizer of a course to attend for free. That is, if you contact the instructor, arrange the use of the facilities and get ten or so people from your area to sign up, you train for free.

There is certainly a bit of work involved, but where there is a will, there is a way.

 

[springmom]

that sums it up very nicely

Pax, it's all about money for me.

Also, frankly, there is no way to know whether the training is going to be any good, even if someone else who took the class thought it was good for THEM.

If we could watch the class being given, and then decide whether to pay for it or not, I'd try a few out. Unfortunately, in the real world, that means most people would think they got enough out of the preview and never take the class.

But buying an EXPENSIVE pig in a poke is hard for us practical types to do.

$1,000.00 on a gun? Hey, I've got a thousand dollar gun for my money. A thousand dollar gun course? I may not have ANYTHING for my money. And until I've spent the thousand (which I do not have) I will never know if it would have been worth it to me, or not.

That pretty much says it. We have spent a couple of thousand on guns over the last year or two, but that took us from one .22 Sig Trailside and one 12 gauge to, well, pretty much enough guns for starters Besides, what I'd like is some one-on-one coaching FIRST; then get training on shooting in other than gun range settings with the restrictions therein (no rapid fire, no double taps, no drawing from a holster , no no no no no...).

Springmom, wondering if you're thinking of putting together a class?

 

[El Tejon]

I have no need for training as I have purchased a pistol and thus automatically know what I am doing.

 

[GEM]

Around here you can get a half day Basic pistol I and II for $60 a class and a nice two day weekend tactical class for $240.

My 'warrior friends' with tons of guns haven't even done the basic class.

 

[Rumble]

Well, technically...

...I have taken more training than is required for my CCW, but that's because in Pennsylvania, there is no training requirement. You just need to ask for a CCW. I think they come in cereal boxes now

However, that said, I have no advanced training in tactics or combat handgunnery. I would like to, but there are a few things that complicate the matter. I have 2 kids; I have insufficient money to attend most of the schools that I have seen recommended; I am worried about the "pig in a poke" problem; and I have (rightly or wrongly) the image of a bunch of lean, mean ex-SEALS touting the Warrior Mindset(TM) and so forth. I'm not a warrior. I'm just some guy.

On the upside, my job (academia) gives me summers off, so time is not as much of an issue. My soon-to-be-wife is a gun aficionado herself (in fact, she introduced me to the world of firearms) and would love to do the training with me, so familiy buy-in isn't the issue. It's money, logistics, and the non-transparency of the schools, more than anything: desire isn't the issue. Execution is.

 

[pax]

Bumping this six-month-old thread to the top to post a link to an article I wrote based on what y'all (and others) said.

http://www.corneredcat.com/LearningMore/WhyNotClass.htm

pax

 

[Legionnaire]

I was wondering what became of that thread. Good article (and website). Thanks for the link!

 

[BullfrogKen]

Good article. I remember this thread.

At the time, you didn't want particularly experienced or trained practitioners to respond.

I just took a basic level handgun course from FRI the other weekend. Present were another NTI team member, a young man enrolled in a local college's crim. j. curriculum, and two middle aged men who I do not believe had prior classes. A lady, and former FRI student, showed up for day 2 and 3.

Being a team member and living 2 miles from our range, I get the opportunity to train once a month with the other team members. However, I consider this art a study, myself a perpetual student, and felt I could benefit from a basic course. I did. I discovered a few enlightening things about myself.


I do get turned off by anyone that feels they are a master, or possesses the answer. Some folks are looking for a jedi to give them answers and tricks. Many instructors portray themselves as accomplished warriors, by listing credentials we all believe makes someone a warrior, in an effort to attract these apprentices. I'm not convinced SEAL, Marine, Special Forces, SWAT, etc. training is particularly relevant to the armed citizen.


I believe that schools which seek to offer this experience as selling points end up selecting certain clients, and deselecting others, as they evaluate the potential experience in their minds. I saw that theme in the responses from folks who didn't want to spend a weekend with para-military "hard-ass" types. Who can blame them for thinking that's what fills the classes when schools market themselves that way?


I hope to always be better than I was yesterday, but not as good as I could be tomorrow. I am unimpressed with hubrus. And the more I learn, the more I realize I will always be a student, never a master. Attitude matters to me, and the most skilled in this art after years of study and real world experience that remained approachable, personable teachers never claimed the title of master.


The process of selecting a good school is difficult, and probably rates a thread of its very own. But, the idea that we can teach ourselves, is a bit . . . ambitious.