considering training

**AngelKing** · 07-07-2012, 08:25 AM

Ive had the basic safety courses and what can best be described as impromptu classes provided by friends in the LE community.

But as far as hardcore training, I haven't done it. I more or less make the effort to hit the range 2-3 times a month and feel as if Im a good shot on paper, can handle weapons proficiently etc.

That said, I know paper doesn't shoot back and doesn't move, save for a gust of wind or bad backing.

Are courses in tactical training worth it? I see a lot of ads for front sight and others all the time. I've watched countless videos made by guys like NutnFancy and James Yeager -- I fear that I could barely take men like that seriously, they just seem like douchebags.

Is there anything around here that you might recommend? Im probably going to get serious about this towards the cooler months when Im not travelling and my office/warehouse move is complete in August (trust me, thats a damned nightmare).

Im interested in of course, home defense, CCW situations and if its needed (debating), tactical training in the use of shotguns, semi-auto rifles (wont call em assault rifles). etc.

**Rob Boudrie** · 07-07-2012, 08:53 AM

S&W academy, Sig Academy, Mass Firearms School, American Firearms School, Len Siegel and Dave Kenik (in no particular order) come to mind.

Beware the "grizzled operator" effect". It's fine if the instructor is a veteran of the mean streets who eats nails for breakfast, but there are also some fine instructors who have never faced down a fire breathing dragon in their life, so there you may wish to look beyond the BTDT/HSLD crowd (and will also find more modest prices on such classes).

**sevenMMmag** · 07-07-2012, 09:54 AM

nutnfancy and yeager suck.

There are a lot of top notch tactical instructors out there. Check out Grey Group training, Kyle Lamb, Jason Falla, Kyle Defoor, Vickers, Southnarc, etc and sign up for a basic or level 1 class. There are also good local classes at Sig Academy, etc. I don't know about your skill level, but you may find it more economical to take a local class to see where your skill level is first before shelling out all the travel money to go to one of the big name instructors. Plus, you will probably get some more one-on-one instruction time.

read some AARs on m4carbine.net or other websites to get an idea if the classes from the big name instructors fit your needs and skill level.

**M1911** · 07-07-2012, 11:25 AM

James Yeager? This is all you need to know about a James Yeager class:

See the photographer downrange? In between two targets? That is a James Yeager class and the fellow downrange is a Yeager instructor, taking PR pictures. While the students are shooting targets just a couple feet away from him. James Yeager is a freaking idiot.

I've taken classes with Mas Ayoob, SIG Academy, S&W Academy, and Randy Cain. Ayoob does the best job of covering the legal issues, bar none. SIG Academy was decent, but I was there quite a few years ago and their staff has turned over completely since I was there. I only took one class from S&W Academy and won't go back. Randy Cain was the best shooting instructor of the lot and I'd take another class from Randy if I could.

NE Shooters brings in traveling instructors several times a year. Ken Hackathorn is coming in later this year and he is well respected, but I think that class requires additional training. http://neshooters.com/

Another thing to consider is to start competing in USPSA or IDPA. No, it isn't training, but your competitive instincts will cause you to practice more. It has greatly improved my shooting over the past couple years.

**mordeeb** · 07-07-2012, 11:36 AM

where can you do training that is like swat team training?

**nhams** · 07-07-2012, 11:36 AM

To answer the OP's question, a quality training course is well worth the money. Even if you only take one or two and don't remember all of the details over time, you will learn the correct way to do some of the most important firearms manipulations.

While I took a rifle class at the Sig Academy last year (not a bad class, except for the "no shooting before 12 on Sundays" rule), they now seem to ban steel case ammo. I haven't called them to confirm, but they have this on the course descriptions on the website. This is a major turnoff for me, as I wanted to bring a 7.62x39 gun to a carbine class and there is no way I am paying for brass case ammo when the steel case stuff is still under 5/box.

Too bad, otherwise you have to travel or wait for a good instuctor to come to NE. Sig Academy was pretty close to home.

**M1911** · 07-07-2012, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by mordeeb

where can you do training that is like swat team training?

Join a police force and get on a swat team, or join the Army or Marines and go infantry.

SWAT team tactics are meant for a team of police officers. Chances are, you aren't a cop, you won't be working in a team, and the things that they have to do (clearing a house) are things that you shouldn't be doing, and if you really have to do them, you'll have to do very differently since you don't have a team.

**Supermoto** · 07-07-2012, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by mordeeb

where can you do training that is like swat team training?

Have you tried the local airsoft club?

**mordeeb** · 07-07-2012, 11:46 AM

I just mean like, going in rooms and shooting active targets.

**M1911** · 07-07-2012, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by mordeeb

I just mean like, going in rooms and shooting active targets.

Room clearing is not something you want to be doing. It is a great place to get yourself killed.

If what you are looking for is more dynamic training where targets are moving and you are moving, those tend to occur at more advanced levels of training, not introductory training, and typically at training academies that have fixed sites (not traveling instructors). For example, Gunsite.

As I mentioned above, IDPA and USPSA matches have moving targets and you must move as well.

considering training

Thread Tools

Display

considering training

Posting Permissions