I’m planing on taking my first class in a couple of months so I’m looking to get some insight here on where to go. I know there is no ‘best’ but where do you guys recommend I go for a class geared towards concealed carry / defensive handgun? It would be nice if low light would be included as that is where most shootings happen apparently. In Texas would be nice but not a must. I also can’t afford a class that costs $1000 or more.
Well if you can make it up this way (Virginia) Dave Pennington teaches a two-day CCW class that is outstanding!
Thanks for the tip but 1200 miles is a bit far. I’ve read the AAR and his class seems to be just what I’m looking for. Maybe we Texans can get him to come visit this great State!
I can count on one hand the classes I’ve been to, so take this for what it’s worth:
My only pistol training has been at an M4C regional shoot and Grant’s Defensive Pistol 101. Besides nominal non-member range fees, they’ve been free, so they’re not your typical $600, 2000-round count classes. But all the same, they’ve been invaluable to me. I’m willing to bet you’ll learn more, faster in a class where you’re shooting for 8-10 hours a day for 2 days straight and putting a few thousands rounds downrange than the 8 or so hours I’ve had and the 200-rounds I’ve shot during them. But don’t pass up free-ish classes taught by decent instructors at a nearby gun club.
There’s pro’s and con’s to shooting for a couple hours, going home and running drills by yourself for a few of weeks, and then coming back next month for the next 3-hour class. But it sure is a hell of a lot cheaper than a big single weekend class.
Also, I know The_Katar, who is up around my area somewhere, gets together with folks in the region for little 1-on-1 sessions. You might want to look for someone in your regional forum who has a lot of expertise and might be able to give you a lot of quality and inexpensive attention and then save your money up for a go-fast CCW class next year once you’re 100% on the fundamentals and the small stuff (though I get the sense that it’s ALL fundamentals and small stuff).
Those are just the contributions from a newbie to this all, though.
Mast Solutions holds classes here in Houston but I’ve kept track of the regional forum and there doesn’t seem to go much on here regarding free-ish…a shame really.
I would highly recommend Tom Givens as well. IMO Jeff Gonzalez’s class is not the first choice for concealed carry.
I agree, reading the course description didn’t reveal any concealed carry hints.
You may also look into the United States Shooting Academy in OK.
They apparently have a great facility and offer a 5 day comprehensive program.
My mistake. I thought you wanted to learn how to fight with a pistol. Now that I know all you wanted was to learn how to conceal it, I can help.
Untuck your shirt.
Good luck in your quest!
Mike
Please enlighten me as to why the skills learned in lets say Jeff’s class (or any other tier one instructors class) would not translate to concealed carry? What mystical talent is needed in lifting my shirt? How many days do you spent on that special skill set?
Mike
Seriously? You think that’s all there is? There’s a bit of difference between transitioning to a secondary weapon in a high-intensity conflict and deciding whether the guy walking towards you as you leave ther grocery store need to be shot.
“If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” -Abraham Maslow
Louis Awerbuck would be who I would send first time pistol student to.
He travels so check with him as to when he will be in Texas.
Yavepai Firearms Academy is his outfit. Sorry if I messed up the spelling. He is out of Arizonia and as good as it gets.
I’m sorry but I don’t go to grocery stores. They are too dangerous from what I hear. But back to your main point, where did transitioning come from?
Mike
Slow your roll. 3 of your 4 posts on this forum, and in this thread, have been antagonistic and/or condescending towards other forum members and that’s really not necessary in this discussion where the OP is looking for something that’s more applicable to day to day carry of a firearm rather than a more combat oriented class. Instead of starting a pissing match with other people why not explain yourself more clearly.
If someone is looking for their first class with a specific emphasis on concealed carry, I would want the class to cover things other than the mechanics of shooting. Mindset and legal consequences come to mind as well. Some classes do a better job of covering it than others. It also helps if your instructor practices the lifestyle he teaches. I would think a LEO or even a civilian that CCW’s would have more insight into the daily routine and other issues than a former military operator - who would primarily - although I am sure there are exceptions - be concerned with military applications and open carry, etc…
It would be interesting to poll a large number of instructors to see how many actually CCW on a daily basis - you may be surprised at the results.
Taking any class is a step in the right direction. However, it helps to tailor the instructor and the material to the topics you want to learn first/best.
If you want training in the practical and technical weaponcraft aspects (including draw, equipment choices, manipulation, etc.) then I agree from firsthand experience that David Pennington and Louis Awerbuck are at the top of the list. David has a great deal of real world experience in concealed carry, and Louis is virtually a walking encyclopedia of technique, equipment, and diagnostics of shooting.
If you want a broader “survey” course that addresses some of those things in less depth, but also covers ethical, legal, and aftermath aspects and practical applications of those areas, then LFI/Massad Ayoob is what you want.
Some people poopoo Ayoob for various reasons, but I took 3 classes at LFI as my first “real” gun classes back in the late 1990s, and while I have done a lot more training since (with guns and with the law) that has lead me to diverge in some respects from Ayoob’s views, those classes and most of the basic principles he teaches are sound, and teach you to think in a manner that will allow you to better judge what applies to you and what doesn’t.
No prob, I’ll pump my breaks. My point was simply this, learn how to fight with a pistol first. This includes all the things necessary from drawing from the holster (shirt not over gun makes no difference at this stage to someone taking their first class), all your different reloads & malfunctions drills, but most important…hitting what you aim at. Many good guys were mentioned here to learn from. Most all of them have a Pistol I class which is a perfect starting point.
Once you have the basics down and that’s the most important part, then work on shooting from concealment. Which, by the way you can train on your own. As I said before, it’s just lifting your shirt or fanning your jacket for Pete’s sake. Why pay someone to show you how to do that or pay someone, makes no difference to me.
How is the instructor’s pistol class that I mentioned a “combat” (your words not mine) oriented class? How does taking a class like I mentioned not prepare someone to carry day to day? Not trying to start a pissing match, just asking questions.
Mike
You have a great way of getting your thoughts across when you take the time and I agree with a lot of what you wrote. One of the larger differences is shooting scenarios where you’re using more shoot/no shoot situations and discussing legalities and possible repercussions.
How is the instructor’s pistol class that I mentioned a “combat” (your words not mine) oriented class? How does taking a class like I mentioned not prepare someone to carry day to day? Not trying to start a pissing match, just asking questions.
I was generalizing since most of the time on M4C people are discussing and showing photos of classes taught by LAV, Hack, Magpul, etc. and the typical gear is battle belts, chest rigs and definitely not geared towards concealed carry for the average Joe.
Yea I guess being short and to the point sometimes comes off as combative.
Andy T, since it is obvious you have not taken a pistol class from Jeff, I can say you did not give the person who started this thread good advise in this case.
I don’t get my legal advise from a firearms instructor mil or leo. Conversely, I don’t want my attorney teaching me how to shoot & he’s former mil.
That’s the same advise I would give my sister.
Mike