Hello fellow shooters!
In another thread on this forum (https://www.thearmorylife.com/forum/threads/critical-defense-or-federal-hst.91/page-3#post-6515), I noted to a fellow member (@David N. , this one's for you, bruddah!) that I'd start a thread abut items to bring and also other considerations for beginners to live-fire firearms training classes. So, here it is - and while I am opening the thread, I'd love for all of you to contribute to it - to either call me out on anything I've posted and/or to add to the knowledge pool with your own contributions below.
I'm a regular-guy law-abiding citizen - a nerdy academic scientist, a family-man in his mid-40s. I'm a relatively new shooter - I started shooting in November, 2010, at the ripe age of 36...prior to that, I literally picked up my last gun in late-2003 or early '04 as a part of the usual "fun range day" with friends. So far, I have a few hundred hours of paid professional training with various local schools/instructors and also with nationally known SMEs. I've trained with household names and with "no names." I was in your shoes, not long ago - and this is why I want so badly to help.
Without any further ado:
This is a great time to get in training. It's essentially a buyer's market. Shop around. Be sure you vet your instructor/school, so that you'll not only have tons of fun and learn a boatload, but also to stay safe. While the vast majority of classes/schools are run by individuals who truly want to help others and who actually have sufficient background to do so, there are some real fly-by-night individuals/outfits whose teachings are not only inconsistent with modern methodology, but can be outright dangerous. Overall, if you're not sure, just come to the Forums and ask: there will be those of us who are experienced enough (or who know someone who is sufficiently experienced) to tell you whether that's just some really high-end ass-kickery, or if it's total bullshit and should be avoided at all cost.
But once you've vetted the school and registered for a class, what's next?
As the first time student, you're undoubtedly going to be a bit anxious about what's going to go down in the classroom and on the range at your first-ever firearms training class. Whether you've been shooting for a while or are completely new to the hobby/sport, my hope is that with the following write-up, I can help settle your nerves a bit by letting you know what to expect.
Aside from being SAFE and having at least functional marksmanship capabilities, static, basically, at the intro. level, it's not expected that a student knows anything else at all: the basics of the draw and presentation, the basics of manipulations (stoppage reduction) and shooting positions (from static stance to the basic movements and utilization of cover) are what's usually the sole focus of these types of classes all the way up until you actually enroll in more specialized "tactics" courses.
If you feel really anxious, get your hands on the Magpul The Art of the Dynamic Handgun DVD set. Practice the manipulations dry, at home, using a cleared gun. While you're viewing, remember that's a "marketed" setting, and that in-reality, they are compressing what's usually found in a beginning-level course with an intermediate/advanced level course into one presentation. At the beginner's level, you'll find that it is rare for dynamic movement/positions or single-handed manipulations to even be introduced, and this is usually due to concerns of students' experience level as well as line safety. Remember, this is a contrived setting: they're trying to cover a lot of material at once. Don't worry about these more advanced skills just yet.
Also, by yourself, you can work on the fundamentals of pistol marksmanship prior to attending even an entry-level class. No, you don't need to drill single holes or even cloverleaves at 7 yards, but being better than minute-of-man will help you not only feel more secure about your personal abilities as well as will prevent you from being "that guy/that girl" in the class that's either holding everyone up because of a lack of fundamentals or being taken aside to receive extra remedial instruction (which can sometimes so embarrass a student that he/she then gets even more flustered).
<continued below>
In another thread on this forum (https://www.thearmorylife.com/forum/threads/critical-defense-or-federal-hst.91/page-3#post-6515), I noted to a fellow member (@David N. , this one's for you, bruddah!) that I'd start a thread abut items to bring and also other considerations for beginners to live-fire firearms training classes. So, here it is - and while I am opening the thread, I'd love for all of you to contribute to it - to either call me out on anything I've posted and/or to add to the knowledge pool with your own contributions below.
I'm a regular-guy law-abiding citizen - a nerdy academic scientist, a family-man in his mid-40s. I'm a relatively new shooter - I started shooting in November, 2010, at the ripe age of 36...prior to that, I literally picked up my last gun in late-2003 or early '04 as a part of the usual "fun range day" with friends. So far, I have a few hundred hours of paid professional training with various local schools/instructors and also with nationally known SMEs. I've trained with household names and with "no names." I was in your shoes, not long ago - and this is why I want so badly to help.
Without any further ado:
This is a great time to get in training. It's essentially a buyer's market. Shop around. Be sure you vet your instructor/school, so that you'll not only have tons of fun and learn a boatload, but also to stay safe. While the vast majority of classes/schools are run by individuals who truly want to help others and who actually have sufficient background to do so, there are some real fly-by-night individuals/outfits whose teachings are not only inconsistent with modern methodology, but can be outright dangerous. Overall, if you're not sure, just come to the Forums and ask: there will be those of us who are experienced enough (or who know someone who is sufficiently experienced) to tell you whether that's just some really high-end ass-kickery, or if it's total bullshit and should be avoided at all cost.
But once you've vetted the school and registered for a class, what's next?
As the first time student, you're undoubtedly going to be a bit anxious about what's going to go down in the classroom and on the range at your first-ever firearms training class. Whether you've been shooting for a while or are completely new to the hobby/sport, my hope is that with the following write-up, I can help settle your nerves a bit by letting you know what to expect.
Aside from being SAFE and having at least functional marksmanship capabilities, static, basically, at the intro. level, it's not expected that a student knows anything else at all: the basics of the draw and presentation, the basics of manipulations (stoppage reduction) and shooting positions (from static stance to the basic movements and utilization of cover) are what's usually the sole focus of these types of classes all the way up until you actually enroll in more specialized "tactics" courses.
If you feel really anxious, get your hands on the Magpul The Art of the Dynamic Handgun DVD set. Practice the manipulations dry, at home, using a cleared gun. While you're viewing, remember that's a "marketed" setting, and that in-reality, they are compressing what's usually found in a beginning-level course with an intermediate/advanced level course into one presentation. At the beginner's level, you'll find that it is rare for dynamic movement/positions or single-handed manipulations to even be introduced, and this is usually due to concerns of students' experience level as well as line safety. Remember, this is a contrived setting: they're trying to cover a lot of material at once. Don't worry about these more advanced skills just yet.
Also, by yourself, you can work on the fundamentals of pistol marksmanship prior to attending even an entry-level class. No, you don't need to drill single holes or even cloverleaves at 7 yards, but being better than minute-of-man will help you not only feel more secure about your personal abilities as well as will prevent you from being "that guy/that girl" in the class that's either holding everyone up because of a lack of fundamentals or being taken aside to receive extra remedial instruction (which can sometimes so embarrass a student that he/she then gets even more flustered).
<continued below>