Best Approach to Start Firearm Training for Beginners?

A

apolloorion

New member
Hi everyone,

I'm new to firearms and looking to start training seriously, both for self-defense and responsible ownership.

There is so much information out there, including range etiquette, safety protocols, types of firearms, dry vs live fire practice, etc., that it is a bit overwhelming.

For those with experience, what would you recommend as the best way to begin training?

Should I start with a basic safety course or jump into hands-on instruction at a range?

Also, any recommended resources (books, online, or instructors) would be appreciated.
 
apolloorion said:
Hi everyone,

I'm new to firearms and looking to start training seriously, both for self-defense and responsible ownership.

There is so much information out there, including range etiquette, safety protocols, types of firearms, dry vs live fire practice, etc., that it is a bit overwhelming.

For those with experience, what would you recommend as the best way to begin training?

Should I start with a basic safety course or jump into hands-on instruction at a range?

Also, any recommended resources such as books, online courses, firearm training simulator, or qualified instructors would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Thanks in advance for any help
 
You can find a wealth of knowledge on YouTube.

Talk to friends. See if any of them are gun savvy. Look online in your area for people who offer classes. Often times "concealed carry" class instructors will offer a "basic training" class. Go to your local gun store that has a range and explain to them that you would like to learn to shoot and they may offer something or point you in the right direction.

Personally, I have taught a lot of people to shoot over the years and I always start out by teaching them the actual gun first. The nomenclature, how to take it apart, clean it, etc. Safety, I do all of that before I even take them to actually shoot the gun.
 
Depending on what you plan on shooting, rifle or pistol, a firearms safety course is a good place to start. An indoor shooting range can offer you training and a place to shoot as well.
 
A beginners handgun class/course will provide you with supervision while learning safe gun handling and how to shoot one. Progress from there into shotgun/rifle. You will also figure out what type of class/instructor works for your learning style. You probably won't even need to own a pistol/revolver. Shotgun probably need to own, rifle very likely. Handgun ammo is cheaper also.
 
I have more Instructor credentials than I can remember, instructed LEO's, security guards, and citizens for over twenty years. I ran my own training business up until about two years ago... this is my recommendation:

As much as I dislike the NRA, their Basic Pistol Class will probably be a good start. Once you have the basic mechanics of your pistol down (loading, unloading, firing) and safety awareness... then look for a good "Defensive Oriented" class aimed at self-defense and combat oriented shooting. This is where you will learn important things like speed reloading and perhaps the most important of all... MALFUNCTION CLEARING.

Avoid the high-speed, high round count, run-and-gun gung-ho crap type classes where everyone looks like they maxed out their credit card at a tactical supply shop... you will burn an excessive amount of ammo shooting various drills that are simply unrealistic when it comes to self-defense gunfighting in the Public Domain. You're not going to face a mini van full of outlaws... if you do, you probably deserve what's coming lol.

Sure... those classes are fun... but they don't reinforce mastering the basics of firearms manipulation. Your best tactical instructors, like Robert "Bob" Keller and Pat McNamara, both with whom I've trained, are big on the basics of marksmanship, they have some great videos on YouTube as well. Both are experienced Tier 1 Unit Guys so they know what matters in a gun fight.



 
People spend thousands upon thousands on guns, ammo, optics, etc. but balk at spending a few thousand on quality in person w/ live fire training. ( myself included).

Why is that?

I have my guesses but will keep them to myself.
 
hm1996 said:
Find an NRA Training Course near you
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This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Back in the day, Dad took ya out when you were 8 years old, and so it started, back then we called it target practice.
Now a days it's called training, like we're supposed to be practicing on gunning somebody down, course I'd be looking HARD at the consequences of doing that before I started planted that seed in my head, this ain't the Marine Corp, we're hunters!
 
Hunter55 said:
This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Back in the day, Dad took ya out when you were 8 years old, and so it started, back then we called it target practice.
Now a days it's called training, like we're supposed to be practicing on gunning somebody down, course I'd be looking HARD at the consequences of doing that before I started planted that seed in my head, this ain't the Marine Corp, we're hunters!
Click to expand...

It's is still each person's duty to defend one's self and those they love . Being prepared and hopefully trained to some degree could and probably will be the deciding factor if you live or die.
Here is a local instance that could happen to anyone, anywhere, at any given moment.

 


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