[wewebb]

Lots of great stuff out here on the training forum. Lot’s of thought provoking threads and such. But I have a question, Where do you begin?

At one time I was young and lean, an all muscle farm-boy - smart, sharp, clear-eyed and unafraid. Like I rock. Now I’m 47 and a little over-weight and I make my living at a desk and need bifocals.

I got my first handgun a year ago, Kimber Custom Classic, best I could afford by all the recommendations of friends and sales folk. I shoot in informal IDPA like matches on Friday nights in the winter. Don’t do too badly, but I rate myself a rank amateur.

So there I am looking at the training forum and thinking, "Hey, I oughta go to this RangeMaster class in Dallas". Then I thought, "You are in no shape physically or mentally to mix-it-up with the folks in that class, you’d hold everyone else back."

My request is for all you folks who teach and those who have attended any type of training to make some recommendations. If I understand it correctly this Dallas class is a combination of Mindset, Firearms proficiency, and close combat. I’d need all that but where do I get the basics? There are several schools that teach the firearms basics, and maybe reading Tom Given’s book would be a good beginning background for getting my head right. But what type of preparation do I need for Dane’s portion of the class? (I know, just fall down and bleed quietly. :wink: )

I can’t afford to fly to Memphis six times for six different classes, or Arizona or Texas for that matter. One trip where I could do 2 or 3 classes back-to-back would be OK though.

So what are your thoughts? Where do you start?



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: wewebb on 2001-10-19 00:13 ]</font>

 

[Tim Burke]

If you're up in Washington, there are at least two places doing training with national reputations. Why not start there? InSights Training Center is based in Washington, as is The Firearms Academy of Seattle.

TB., NC

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Tim Burke on 2001-10-19 20:26 ]</font>

 

[Chad Ward]

On 2001-10-19 00:08, wewebb wrote:
Lots of great stuff out here on the training forum. Lot’s of thought provoking threads and such. But I have a question, Where do you begin?

My request is for all you folks who teach and those who have attended any type of training to make some recommendations. If I understand it correctly this Dallas class is a combination of Mindset, Firearms proficiency, and close combat. I’d need all that but where do I get the basics? There are several schools that teach the firearms basics, and maybe reading Tom Given’s book would be a good beginning background for getting my head right. But what type of preparation do I need for Dane’s portion of the class? (I know, just fall down and bleed quietly. :wink: )

I can’t afford to fly to Memphis six times for six different classes, or Arizona or Texas for that matter. One trip where I could do 2 or 3 classes back-to-back would be OK though.

So what are your thoughts? Where do you start?

Well, not to be flippant, but you've already started. Just by shooting regularly, especially IDPA, you're way ahead of the game. But if you want to go farther, I always start by reading first. Try this thread for a listing of some of the best books out there.
http://www.pistolsmith.com./viewtopic.php?topic=1298&forum=7

Of all of these, I think the best place to start would be Tom Givens' book, Fighting Smarter, but you also couldn't go wrong with Farnam's book on handgunning (recently reprinted) or Gila May-Hays' Effective Defense. All of them cover mindset, tactics and gunhandling in sufficient detail to get you going.

And since you're in Washington, Firearm Academy of Seattle shouldn't be too far away. I haven't been there, but have heard nothing but rave reviews. Marty Hays, husband of the author of Effective Defense (sorry Marty, I know that's not the only thing you're known for :razz hangs out here. Ask him about class schedules.

And if you want to go to the Dallas Rangemaster class, ask the folks running it! If you're comfortable with your safety and gunhandling, have shot enough IDPA to be used to drawing from a holster and shooting on the move, send Dane, Tom or Jim an e-mail (they all hang out here, too) and give them an honest assesment of your abilities and see if they would recommend this class or another one, possibly even closer to home.

Whichever class you decide to attend (and they become addictive), get the books, too.

Chad

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Chad Ward on 2001-10-21 00:46 ]</font>

 

[Dane Burns]

Easy enough, come down and spend tomorrow afternoon training with me. You won't be in the way. I am just starting a basic class.

All it takes is your time. Come as my guest.

I have lots of bad jokes to share :grin: