JimConway
Instructor
Last week, I was approached by another list member who had just got his LTC and bought his first gun. His complaint was that the NRA Basic Pistol Course did not teach him how to shoot. Since he was nearby, I suggested that we get together for a how-to-shoot training session. We did his first session last weekend. I started with about 2 hours of classroom time in my office which covered a wide range of topics, including:
The 4 UGH safety rules
Stance
Sighting and the sight picture
Holding to hold the gun
Aiming (where to focus)
The sequence of firing a shot with a heavy emphasis on trigger reset and follow through
Reloading
Malfunctions
Carry methods
How and when you can shoot
I also addressed a lot of questions. One question amused me. He wanted to talk about breathing. I advised him to do it and explained the breath control is normally considered only by Bulls eye shooters or for very long shots.
After the classroom, we went to a nearby range to begin shooting. before he shot, he asked me to check out his P99 since he thought that the sights were off. While the sights could have been a bit better they were more than acceptible. Without going into a lot of detail, the improvement in his shooting after 2 hours was dramatic. When he started to shoot, he was all over the target. At the end, he was able to keep all of his shots, well grouped, within 6" at 17 yards. I think that he was pleased.
After mentioning all of the above to a couple of friends, the concensus was the many people would benifit from some initial training that would fit in between the NRA Basic Pistol Course and a top professional trainer, like those that we bring in to the Nashua area. They also thought that such a course would make it much easier for a new shooter to take a professional course and allow them to get more out of it.
If any of you are interested, I am willing to provide a basic shooting program for groups between 4 and 10 for a cost of $50.00 each. For any group over 5, I would have an additional trainer to provide a higher safety level, more shooting time, and to provide more hands on training. Base upon last weeks course, I would expect that the course should run for 5 to 6 hours. Within reason, I am also willing to do the training at your range.
The 4 UGH safety rules
Stance
Sighting and the sight picture
Holding to hold the gun
Aiming (where to focus)
The sequence of firing a shot with a heavy emphasis on trigger reset and follow through
Reloading
Malfunctions
Carry methods
How and when you can shoot
I also addressed a lot of questions. One question amused me. He wanted to talk about breathing. I advised him to do it and explained the breath control is normally considered only by Bulls eye shooters or for very long shots.
After the classroom, we went to a nearby range to begin shooting. before he shot, he asked me to check out his P99 since he thought that the sights were off. While the sights could have been a bit better they were more than acceptible. Without going into a lot of detail, the improvement in his shooting after 2 hours was dramatic. When he started to shoot, he was all over the target. At the end, he was able to keep all of his shots, well grouped, within 6" at 17 yards. I think that he was pleased.
After mentioning all of the above to a couple of friends, the concensus was the many people would benifit from some initial training that would fit in between the NRA Basic Pistol Course and a top professional trainer, like those that we bring in to the Nashua area. They also thought that such a course would make it much easier for a new shooter to take a professional course and allow them to get more out of it.
If any of you are interested, I am willing to provide a basic shooting program for groups between 4 and 10 for a cost of $50.00 each. For any group over 5, I would have an additional trainer to provide a higher safety level, more shooting time, and to provide more hands on training. Base upon last weeks course, I would expect that the course should run for 5 to 6 hours. Within reason, I am also willing to do the training at your range.