Best start-up training

[DaveL]

I have read the threads in this section for a couple of months and did some other searches and have not come-up with the answer to my main question. I would like a very concise list of training that starts with the most basic and goes to perhaps "middle" ground. I'm sure those who are highly tactical (is that the right word?) already have far beyond the basic and also know what to move forward with. I think this would be a valuable resource for a lot of people - especially all the new members (and we seem to be getting a lot of new members)

I'd like two lists - one for handguns and one for rifles/shotguns. I personally am not interested in training for hunting and I haven't seen many classes for that anyway. ALSO, if this list could indicate what the acronyms stand for, that would be great.

I'd like to budget both time and money to steadily progress with skills for both handguns and rifles, but haven't found a good list to follow.

 

[schapm]

For basic gun handling and marksmanship I can highly recommend ACT (Adaptive Consulting and Training) BP 100. After you are not a danger to yourself and others I would jump into a Mercop (MCS- Modern Combative Systems) class. This is the route I took with handguns and although I want to take more classes it's an approach that seems to have worked well. As far as long guns, I have never had any formal training with long guns. I've been hunting since I was a kid and am pretty good at it, but I want to seek some formal training, especially for tactical shotgun and carbine.

 

[lovemachine]

.

 

[lovemachine]

ACT has an Intermediate Pistol class coming up. It's all about marksmanship, and it's a great class.
And the beginning of November, they have a Defensive Rifle 1&2.

 

[ATM]

Rifles?

One word - APPLESEED

Appleseed - INGunOwners

 

[WETSU]

Depends on what you want to accomplish. Do you want to know how to shoot a gun or do you want to learn to fight with a firearm?

Two different goals.

Lots of instructors can teach you how to shoot your gun.

Few can teach you how to fight with a gun as part of a fully integrated fighting system from empty hands to rifles. That is a lifetime path and you will need to learn that from many sources and you will need to train it often, until they put you in the ground.

So, once again, depends on what your goals are. Be honest with yourself and you will find your solution.

 

[IndyGunSafety]

Indy Gun Safety offers the NRA Basic Pistol course. This course is the perfect foundation of safety and marksmanship to build upon.

The next logical step is our one on one Defensive Pistol Course, which teaches the fundamentals of shooting on the move, prioritizing targets, drawing from concealment, malfunction drills and more.

Please let me know if we can help!

 

[DialTone301]

+1 for ACT. I started with their basic pistol and then moved on to intermediate pistol, defensive pistol, the competition class and waiting patiently for the rifle classes. They are good people (even Rhino) and you will get your moneys worth.

 

[The Bubba Effect]

If you want good, cheap rifle instruction, I must agree with ATM. Definitely check out Appleseed.

 

[mercop]

Learn to fight, learn to fight with a gun, then learn to put it all together.

 

[Tinman]

Here is an older discussion we had regarding this exact topic. Try starting there.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo.../7008-a_discussion_on_types_of_trainings.html

As others have noted, the first thing you need to do is define your end goals. That will go a long way towards defining your path.

Tinman....

 

[DaveL]

Thanks to those who recommended the basic to intermediate classes that they felt were good. My wife and I have taken the NRA basic Pistol course and I have attended an Appleseed. I plan to continue going to Appleseeds until I qualify. As I stated in my OP, I have a long way to go before I get into what I called "tactical". As schapm said, I need to get to a place where I can safely and accurately use my weapon as close to it's capabilities as possible. I am too old to become a "fighter", but I would like to be good enough with the guns I have to be an asset with them rather than the slightest liability.

I still wonder if it is possible to create a concise list of classes available so that anyone who is new and looking for training could scan the list, choose some that sound like what they want and look further into those courses. My OP was really trying to get a "general" list put together as a resource for new folks.

 

[esrice]

My OP was really trying to get a "general" list put together as a resource for new folks.

I've got some time to kill.

Give me a few minutes.

 

[esrice]

The below shooting courses are broken down into 4 categories. I pulled the courses from the last 3 pages here in the Tactics and Training subforum. You may or may not agree with my categorization, so please do your homework before picking a course.


VERY Basic
https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...ing/171160-kodiak_nra_basic_pistol_class.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...ion_county_fish_and_game_nov_12th_2011_a.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...69019-nra_basic_pistol_tuesday_sept_27th.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...on_county_fish_and_game_sept_10th_2011_a.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo.../168501-nra_basic_pistol_sept_17_at_ecpr.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...istol_class_september_17_hamilton_county.html



Basic
https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...defensive_pistol_sept_24_25_rochester_in.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...57-kodiak_defensive_pistol_level_i_100_a.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...ntro_to_level_i_defensive_handgun_course.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/tactics_and_training/163111-bp_100_at_mcfg.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...nse_level_i_rifle_oct_29_30_rochester_in.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...101_and_dr201_rescheduled_for_05_06nov11.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...rsonal_protection_in_the_home_fort_wayne.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo..._at_warsaw_rifle_and_pistol_club_29oct11.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...65057-completed_my_first_appleseed_shoot.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...ive_pistol_course_sept_10th_rochester_in.html




Intermediate
https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/tactics_and_training/163112-ip_101_at_mcfg.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...ing/170432-combat_focus_shooting_courses.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...on_and_concealed_carry_fort_wayne_9_18_a.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo.../168507-aar_a_c_t_defensive_pistol_201_a.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/tactics_and_training/167093-pd_training_carbine_ii_aar.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...lose_range_gunfighting_sept_17_18_2011_a.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo..._speed_kills_indpls_in_24_25_sept_2011_a.html



Advanced
https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...s_armed_vehicle_operations_in_evansville.html

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...ab_firearms_combatives_and_retention_aar.html


Again, this isn't an all-inclusive list, just those from the last 3 pages of course announcements here in the T&T forum. It should at least give you a better idea of who's out there and who's posting their courses here on INGO.

 

[DaveL]

KaBAM -- thank you esrice. That is awesome. And hopefully an ongoing reference for a lot of people!

I think I will root through this list and make-up something that lists each of the class titles/providers without the specific date. Then someone can find the class that sounds right and see when it's being held next from the recent posts in this thread.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

As one who has a silly number of hours but is decidedly untactical (I never kicked in any doors but I did sit behind a desk and answer the phone, so I'm kind of an operator), I think you should just plunge in.

The Chinese say the best time to plant a tree is ten years ago, the second best time is right now. Find a class, go sign up.

Nothing wrong with the NRA Basic Pistol "This is a Gun" class. I do not see how one can do the basics enough.

Of the stuff I've done, I'd recommend Boone County Sheriff's two day pistol class. Or, if you want to plunge all the way in Gunsite's 250.

As well, keep the training schedule with realistic goals. Maybe 12 years ago I read a gun rag article where the author was looking for class on Advanced Mall Ninja Super Sniper UberLong Range Super Duper Sniper Classes. Now, this guy was in typical gun show shape--round, and worked in an office. Instead he ended up in Basic Handgun at SIG Sauer Academy. The notion that this Mitty was looking for a UberSniper class still makes me laugh.

Everyone wants to live out their Walter Mitty fantasies and go to Super Sniper School or Advanced Mall Ninjery Classes (as they stuff Cheetos in their face) but face it, who is the greatest threat to you with a gun? Right, the guy in the mirror. I want to learn how not to set myself on fire and then learn how not to be a pudknocker. I'll never be a Dreaded Demon of Darkness, I just want to live to be old and gray and leave with the same number of God-issued holes that I arrived with.

For most of this, this means pistol first as it is around us daily. Maybe a general purpose rifle class and maybe carbine (the MNs will tell you that it "all transfers"--it doesn't but it does help justify running around like you are prepping to retake Fallujah in carbine class). If you want a long gun class, shotgun is what most of us will want.

Many great opportunities here in Indiana. Ask around and go with the empty tea cup mindset and you'll derive something out of the time.

Appleseed was disappointing, at least for me. I had listened, perhaps foolishly, to the hype and the class was lacking and far less than expected. Perhaps my instructors were new, but the experience was miserable.

It is good to see someone realize the value of software over hardware. Good luck in your training journey.

 

[DaveL]

Thanks Kirk, sounds like you are exactly where I am philosophically ... but a long way ahead of me experientially. Hope to run into you sometime downtown!!!

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Hope to run into you sometime downtown!!!

So do many ex-girlfriends.