Handgun classes?

[fx4firefighter]

why does it seem like ever state but PA you have to go to a class befor getting you LTCF

[27hand]

Here's my .02.

While the one day handgun classes will give you a bare minimum exposure to weapon manipulation, I would recommend to use this information as a prep for a 3 day class or multiple 3 day classes with a smattering of low light or night classes.

Too many people think that after a one day class, they are "good to go" as far as carrying concealed and knowing what to do if they would ever have to use their pistol in self defense.

Good friends of mine will not fork out $400 for a basic pistol class and will look at me in amazement when I show them a presentation from the holster with multiple hits on target while shooting on the move.

My statements to them about having to do repetitive drills to ingrain muscle memory for presentation with movement, sight alignment,trigger press,follow through to reacquire the target,scanning the area for other possible threats and what to do after the fact if you should have to use that pistol are ignored.

That doesn't even touch the mindset needed to use a gun,reloading,chamber checks, malfunction clearances, possibly having to make distance from someone at close quarters or using some form of hand to hand when a threat is in your face and you will have NO time to get that pistol out.

I'll stop now as those buddies of mine also think"that $400 would buy them a couple thousand rounds of 9mm or another pistol" which they won't be able to use anyway cause they won't know what to do.

These guys will be at the range with me and when the gun burps and goes click instead of boom, they look at the pistol without having a clue how to IMMEDIATELY get it up and running again. I just think about what would happen should this happen to them if it were in a bad situation.

Save and spend the money. Take a class from a professional trainer who can see what you are doing wrong and correct you while you are learning all the other aspects of self defense pistol training.

Ask this question of anyone doing an NRA class. "What is YOUR professional training background?".

I personally am NRA certified to teach pistol,rifle,shotgun, personal protection, Home Firearm Safety and am also certified as a Range Safety Officer. Do all these certs mean I am qualified to give in depth instruction in these areas? My answer. No they don't. Although another 3 day instructors workshop on how to properly present this material helps, it doesn't compare to the years of instructing over hundreds of classes with thousands of students that a professional instructor has experienced.


Rant off and good luck with your choices.

PM me if you have any questions

27hand

[JohnB]

I'm a big believer in the Fire Institute. They have a 3 day basic tactical handgun class that is taught by one of the top instructors from GUN SIGHT!

The class is held in Monroeville. www.fireinstitute.org

[Rex Havoc]

I've taken a few classes with TonyF and the FIRE Institute team, all were great. They host Randy Cain and his TH101 course which I thought was top notch.