Recs for quality training in Philly area?

[Philadelphia]

I'd love to go to Frontsight or Blackwater, but between the course fees, travel costs and lodging, it just isn't gonna happen.

Anyone have recommendations for quality training locally (Philly area)? My interests right now would be a focus on handgun courses. The local ranges in the area just seem to all offer very basic courses and nothing else.

Thanks.

PS: Has anyone seen Frontsight's "chapter one" DVD? If I did have the money to get out there and get a place to stay, I'd be very inclined to take some courses there.

[dgg9]

Originally Posted by Philadelphia

The local ranges in the area just seem to all offer very basic courses and nothing else.

The local ranges DO offer very basic courses and nothing else. Once in a blue moon, Classic Pistol brings in a name guy.

Do a forum search and you'll see what the options are. Non-basic classes:

1. within an hour's drive = zero, that I'm aware of.

2. within 90 minute's drive: Hellertown gets some interesting classes; look at the training course forum; they have a CAR class upcoming. Insights Training comes to Harrisburg; so does Tom Givens once a year. FRI comes to Easton. Links:

http://www.f-r-i.com/

http://www.insightstraining.com/us/

http://www.rangemaster.com/

http://www.argivedefense.com/

However, once the class is much more than an hour away, you're forced to move to the higher cost/hassle plateau of getting a hotel. In terms of training where you can sleep in your own bed and just drive to/from the class same-day, there's almost nothing. Hellerstown is right on the edge of that limit, and they do have some nice classes.

[1911shooter]

after the verdict on Blackwater i would stick with Frontsight, even better would be Thunder Ranch.

[dgg9]

Originally Posted by 1911shooter

after the verdict on Blackwater i would stick with Frontsight, even better would be Thunder Ranch.

IMO, the "big box" schools, while great, are simply not cost-effective. The value-add of the bigger and better training facility is not worth the extra cash. Top notch instructors can use a normal range creatively and give you a lot of the same thing (disclaimer: I have not been to a big-box school, but there's some consensus on this point from people who have). The instructor matters more than the facility, and more so as the student is newer.

If you add up hotel plus airfare plus the hassle of flying a gun, and arranging for ammo to be there waiting, etc, plus the generally very high day rates at these schools: you can get 2, maybe 3 weekends here in PA for the price of 1 weekend at Thunder Ranch, Front sight, etc. Training with a variety of top shelf instructors at good facilities 3x a year is much better IMO than training once a year (if that) with good but not great instructors.

[dgg9]

Here's my advice. Go to:

http://www.tacticalresponse.com/schedule.php

..and scroll down to June. These trainers are really good (I can vouch, as can MarcS) and you can get a 4 day block of pistol training, at the end of which you WILL be squared away.

Hollidaysburg is a 4 hour drive from Philly, BUT:

1. It's a painless drive, and mitigated by the fact that you're driving once for a 4 day block.
2. The range facility is excellent.
3. Area hotels are dirt cheap -- $30 a night! -- so your costs are kept way down, as hotel costs are insignificant.

IMO, this is by far the most cost-effective training you're going to find.

[Pa. Patriot]

ATSA used to hold monthly study groups in Harrisburg area. (West Shore Sportsmans club)
http://www.teddytactical.com/

Haven't been in a few years so am unsure from their web site if they are still doing this or not

[Philadelphia]

Thanks very much for all the leads. I was kind of hoping that there might be something close in, but I guess that in philly between all the criminals on the one hand and pacifist yuppies on the other, there just aren't enough "gun people" to support a good local training program. I am thankful that there are plenty of ranges to shoot at. ;-)

I do plan to look into all of the options all of you have provided. Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions and leads.

[dgg9]

Originally Posted by Philadelphia

Thanks very much for all the leads. I was kind of hoping that there might be something close in,

There is, now. IMO the premier weekend class is Jeff Gonzales' Combative Pistol 1. He brings it to DE once in a while. Here it is in April of 2008:

http://www.tridentconcepts.com/index.aspx?page=schedule

Sign up now. There will not be a more convenient class of this caliber that you can drive to locally. It's held at the National Guard Armory in Wilmington, which is only 45 minutes from Center City, Philadelphia...closer still for Delco people.

This is not really a class for total beginners. You want to have a little under your belt for this class.

Here's my recommended game plan for you:

1. About the best course you can take in the area is:

http://www.targetmaster.com/Training...y_courses.html

...a 3 part course that often adds a 4th part. This will give you some basis at least for the Gonzales course.

2. But take in this event right away:

http://www.classicpistol.com/news_events.asp?id=28

...on Saturday December 15th. This is one of those FLA CCW all-in-one events. At the end of that day, your FLA CCW application should be in the mail. Why do this? Because FLA non-res permit lets you carry in DE, and you should then have FLA permit in hand before the Gonzales course in DE. Being able to CCW seamlessly as you drive from PA to DE and back again will make life a lot easier.

3. Then practice between then and April and you should be ready for the CP1 class.

4. I'd still advise taking in the Tactical Response block of training after all this.

[Philadelphia]

Originally Posted by dgg9

There is, now. IMO the premier weekend class is Jeff Gonzales' Combative Pistol 1. He brings it to DE once in a while. Here it is in April of 2008:

http://www.tridentconcepts.com/index.aspx?page=schedule

Sign up now. There will not be a more convenient class of this caliber that you can drive to locally. It's held at the National Guard Armory in Wilmington, which is only 45 minutes from Center City, Philadelphia...closer still for Delco people.

This is not really a class for total beginners. You want to have a little under your belt for this class.

Here's my recommended game plan for you:

1. About the best course you can take in the area is:

http://www.targetmaster.com/Training...y_courses.html

...a 3 part course that often adds a 4th part. This will give you some basis at least for the Gonzales course.

2. But take in this event right away:

http://www.classicpistol.com/news_events.asp?id=28

...on Saturday December 15th. This is one of those FLA CCW all-in-one events. At the end of that day, your FLA CCW application should be in the mail. Why do this? Because FLA non-res permit lets you carry in DE, and you should then have FLA permit in hand before the Gonzales course in DE. Being able to CCW seamlessly as you drive from PA to DE and back again will make life a lot easier.

3. Then practice between then and April and you should be ready for the CP1 class.

4. I'd still advise taking in the Tactical Response block of training after all this.

Excellent, thanks.

I'll be signing up at Targetmaster today for the classes in January and for the others as soon as I get back from there.

[dgg9]

Originally Posted by Philadelphia

I'll be signing up at Targetmaster today for the classes in January and for the others as soon as I get back from there.

The reason to get the FLA CCW application out of the way ASAP is that it takes often 90 days turnaround from application to permit.

Don't wait too long to sign up for the Gonzales class -- they do fill up quickly.