I have been a gun instructor for over 35 years. I haven’t been active in 10 years professionally. I don’t know if I count the many times at the range where I end up giving a “free” lesson or a friend or family member wants some instruction. But I’ve been involved with some heavy instruction where I’ve trained military, DEA, ATF, CBP, Border Patrol, ICE, FBI, DOE, state, county, and local Police and Sheriff departments, and I taught a U.S. Marshall once. For some time, these agencies had nowhere to go but the military shooting range I was affiliated with. That has since changed but for a while we were the only game in town. It was interesting running these different courses of fire and qualifying these great responders. I learned so much from each of them! So, when I hear what some instructors teach, I take it just the way it is, for what it is. It’s also an interesting term “expert”. I prefer the word “experienced” because it’s difficult to be expert in anything. I’ve had the great honor of learning from some of the greats, Jeff Cooper, Massad Ayoob, and Rob Pincus. I used to ride bikes with Rob Letham although he may not remember. We grew up a block from each other across the street from Lincoln elementary school, so that qualifies me at riding bikes! Maybe. I’ve had several opportunities to rub shoulders and learn from some great shooters. This doesn’t really mean anything except that you should seek out instruction where you can find it. Be selective but also look for what you need. Be realistic when assessing your own experience and skill. But I’m here to say, just because you can shoot paper the first time in 2 years and can hit pretty well, it does not make you an advanced shooter. Some think because they can hit a bull’s eye at 5 yards qualifies them. It does not. Shooting is a perishable skill that can only be kept up with practice. If you can qualify with a course of fire consistently and can do well in a shoot house or force-on-force, then you are a casual shooter. In addition, I have noticed that my own skill has diminished the older I get. Eyesight and arthritis in my hands have affected my shooting. I’ve had to compensate. If you shoot daily, or weekly, you can be considered adequate. You don’t need to compete or be in combat to be advanced.
Why do you shoot? Is it recreation? Competition? Self-defense? These are all very different reasons. It is likely a combination. But pinpoint your reason to shoot. Then train accordingly. I train for defense. Having PTSD from combat I deal with a hyper-vigilance that I try to keep under control. I don’t want to over-compensate or become over balanced in the area of defense. But for me, defense means investing some time and money. There is also a mix of recreation in there because I love to shoot. It relaxes me and stems anger and frustration I have with all of you people! I’m being facetious but I can get frustrated and intolerant with people just being people. Shooting on a regular basis helps me in that control and makes me a better shooter. I have a problem with people who carry a gun, shoot once or twice a year and think they are squared away to defend themselves and their families. I guess that is better than nothing, but that is barely enough to be nothing. Have they ever shot from one knee? Ever shot from around an object? Ever shot in low light? Ever shot with a flashlight? If their attacker is 15 yards from them with no one behind the target in daylight while a perfect stance and grip, with 2 hands then all is well. But as we have learned, incidents don’t happen that way. There are other things to learn. Situational awareness, ballistics, caliber, movement.
I can recommend only one place to get top notch training. I’m sure there are others.
Gunsite Academy in Arizona.
https://www.gunsite.com/gunsite-class-list/
21 Pistol courses, 10 Carbine courses, 9 Rifle courses, 6 Shotgun courses, 4+ Specialty courses, 5 Situational courses, 4 Special weapons courses, 11 Tactical courses, and more.
That’s at least 70 courses. And their courses change from time to time. They add courses all the time. Check it out. I had the good fortune of being taught by Jeff Cooper himself back in my military days.
Rob Pincus developed I.C.E. Integrity, consistency, and efficiency training center that offers several courses with a large variety of defensive subjects. I’ve never trained there but it is highly recommended.
The Massad Ayoob Group offers many different courses in various locations.
I took the Use of Deadly Force Instructor Course several years ago and enjoyed Mass’s style of teaching and sense of humor.
Regardless of where you receive instruction ensure that you take the things that you learn and put them into your training program. If you don’t have a training program develop one. I have developed 5 different “work outs” that I rotate and will modify from time to time with new or different drills. Variety keeps you sharp.
I have not taken a shooting course in 10 years. But when I was an active instructor I would try to take a class annually. Some that I took I will never recommend and will never take again. But most I gleaned something that I could use. I believe you can learn even from someone you may not agree with. If you pay attention and put off your bias, you can enrich your knowledge or learn something new.
When starting down this path of being taught by instructors, make sure you do your homework and choose wisely. Look at the instructor’s background and read reviews. Find the most experienced and competent that you can afford. Take notes and try to practice what you’ve been taught.
This is a great force multiplier in this country. Take every opportunity to learn in your search to become deadly and smart.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
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