Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

Anyone here been to Thunder Ranch, Front Sight, Gun Site, or TacFire?

I've taken all my classes at Tacfire, they are local for me, would love to take a handgun class with Clint Smith at Thunder Ranch.

Re: Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

I have been considering taking a CCW class, if I do it will be at Gunsite (somewhat local for me). Below is their ad from the paper, considering their reputation it seems like a bargain.

GUNSITE CCW CLASSES, $125. March 14, 2009 & April 18, 2009. Call 928-636-4565 to register.

Re: Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

I hope you take the class. Jeff Cooper founded Gunsite, no better firearms training academy than Gunsite.

Re: Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

I'd also like to recommend that you consider Gabe Suarez's Close Range Gunfighting course. He's got a very realistic, down to earth attitude regarding serious social encounters.

Probably the most interesting/most important thing I picked up in his course was the importance of moving while you draw & fire. This is VERY different from the standard "hold your ground, draw & shoot" stuff taught by other styles of shooting (as taught by John Benner, Chuck Taylor, & Mas Ayoob).

Suarez's website is http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/ .

Re: Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

I have taken classes at Thunder Ranch when it was in Texas and Massad Ayoob's Lethal Force Institute. Thunder Ranch is a great shooting school that covers lots of disciplines, including handgun and urban rifle. LFI is a good first class as it provides a legal framework for self-defense and stimulates planning work, such as knowing which attorney you will call if there is a shooting.

Re: Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

i think Gabe has a couple videos on youtube as well which touch on this technique. He definately comes across as a very experienced person. Many years in LEO.

Re: Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

Re: Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

Amen Brother

Re: Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

Any good places on the East Coast? Virginia? PA?

Re: Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

If you don't have the time/income to attend each & every one of Gabe Suarez's courses, you might want to (then again, you might not!) consider joining/hanging out on www.warriortalk.com . Very down to earth/reality (non-PC) oriented site. Gabe runs it.

Re: Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

I'd also be interested in something on the East Coast as well. Any suggestions? I'll add North Carolina in the mix

Re: Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

Tactical Response is GTG. Here is their website: www.tacticalresponse.com. They have some good youtube videos too.

Re: Any one taken a good gun class lately?
 

For those in New England:
http://www.weaponcrafttraining.com/

How many of you are in shape? How many of you shoot regularly? How many of you compete (IDPA, 3 Gun, etc.)?

If you are out of shape, practice infrequently, and don't engage in training that raises your stress level (competition, force on force training, etc.) you will more than likely die in an all out battle (I assume that is what you are hinting at).

You don't have to take classes, although they are good. You do need to practices and engage in thing like competitive shooting matches which will raise your stress level to help you learn to engage in good marksmanship when your stress level is elevated.

Combat isn't standing at the shooting range. One of the most important factors is your physical fitness. You can have all the guns in the world, but if your fat ass has a heart attack when the SHTF, they aren't going to do you a damn bit of good. Combat isn't a sprint, it is a marathon. Endurance is what you need and what a fat ass won't give you. Get off your ass and get in shape. Likewise, combat isn't engaging a paper silhouette that stands there while you punch holes in it. Your targets will move and use cover and concealment, you must do the same if you are to survive. Learning shoot quickly and accurately is what competition will do for you and is what will help you succeed. Learning to shoot while moving and using cover and concealment is what a class can teach you, or you could talk to a somebody who has been to the sandbox recently and is willing to help you learn. Typing on this forum or reading a book won't get you there, neither will simply taking a class. You must devote yourself to practicing and building muscle memory. This means a time commitment and string will to leave your ego at the door when attending a class or having a friend teach you. You must learn through demonstration and then repeat it thousands of times, over and over and over.