I found this post last week while I was searching for training opportunities. After reading the post, I contacted Jim because I felt I was in the same boat that Tele Mark was in. We arranged for a private lesson last weekend, and I wanted to comment on my experience.
Going in, I told Jim that I was a very new shooter who hadn’t had any formal training on how to shoot (I took a firearms safety course for my LTC that didn’t include any hands on (or any, for that matter) shooting instruction). I’d been shooting on my own a couple times a week for the last couple months, but I was worried that I was probably making quite a few mistakes, and probably developing some bad habits. I plan to take several courses over the summer, but I wanted some formal instruction in the mean time to identify potential bad habits before they form, and to give me some things that I could work on while I shoot on my own.
My training wasn’t as extensive as Mark’s was, nor did I ask it to be. We touched briefly on most of the subjects he listed at the beginning of the post, with an emphasis on trigger pull, grip, stance, sighting and troubleshooting. Throughout the afternoon he sprinkled in basic lessons on firearms safety, handling, and general knowledge when appropriate. Towards the end we worked on a couple defensive drills. All told, I walked away with exactly what I was looking for. It was just enough information for me to digest without overwhelming me, I have plenty of things to work on at the range, and I learned more than a thing or two about shooting in general.
Jim is a class act and an asset to the sport. I’m looking forward to future lessons and classes with him.
I also wanted to note that Tana (my girlfriend) came with me to the lesson, and Doug (also with NEShooters) was at the range with Jim when we arrived. Much to Tana’s delight, while Jim was working with me, Doug took out his Ruger .22 and spent some time working with her. After an hour or so with Doug, she showed great improvement in her marksmanship and a huge boost in enthusiasm for the sport. Thanks, Doug, you may have helped to create a monster.