I’m a believer in taking classes. It’s amazing how much we don’t know until we take an actual in-person class with a good instructor. Here’s some links to help you find the perfect class.
- Haley Strategic – National level training, more expensive, but absolutely amazing. The best trainers around, go and learn from Haley Strategic.
- USCCA Local Training – Lots of local trainers posting tons of classes you can search and sign up for. A great way to start taking classes wherever you live.
- Randy Watt / Warrior Creed – A really good local Utah trainer.
Classes Just for Women
Women often prefer taking classes from women trainers. If you’re a guy and want to teach your wife or girlfriend, perhaps instead buy her a class with a female trainer. And if you’re female and want to learn more, here are two groups I’ve heard good things about. They have classes all over the US. You can search for one nearby, contact the local instructor, and see if it’s a good fit for you.
- A Girl & A Gun – Women trainers for women shooters. Train at your speed, safely.
- Armed Women of America – Women trainers for women shooters. Train at your speed, safely.
“Oh, I Don’t Need Training!”
Many people can shoot well if they go slow. But how well can you shoot quickly? Maybe you’re okay with the first shot, but how about the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th shots if you shoot quick? This usually exposes deficiencies, and often people look to a new and better gun to shoot better. Many times someone will tell me their new gun doesn’t shoot right. “This is an expensive gun, but it shoots LOW and LEFT,” they say. Actually, they’re typically doing a few things wrong, that when corrected, makes them shoot amazingly better.
When watching people on the range, you’ll see that the average grip, stance, and shooting style people use doesn’t come from classes, but rather what we are exposed to most – TVs and movies. Hollywood is so wrong, it’s laughable (but then again, Hollywood is wrong about everything). If we wanted to be better at golf, we’d take a lesson from a pro. Same with skiing, rock climbing, or anything else. But with guns, people often avoid lessons because there’s some bravado in this subject, and instead people will say, “Oh, I don’t need a lesson, I grew up with guns.” Or, “I was in the military/was a police officer/etc.” As if these somehow show proficiency.
It’s actually become an ongoing joke in the gun world how often these three excuses come up when someone is told they’re being unsafe at a range. They say, “It’s okay, (1) I grew up with guns, (2) I was in the military, or (3) I was a police officer.”
Don’t make excuses. Be safe. Shoot with safe people only. And learn all you can.
