Pistol Firearms Training

[k-os]

Does anyone have suggestions or recommendations for pistol firearms training in the Southwest USA? I'll be in the Southwest until the rest of the USA warms up, and I'd really like to take a 3-7 day pistol training course. I'm not wealthy, so cost matters, but I am willing to pay for quality.

I am looking for the handgun equivalent to the Appleseed Project events.

I found this 5 day course from Gunsite Academy (http://www.gunsite.com/main/course-offerings/pistol/250-defensive-pistol/), and it sounds great but at $1428, it's bordering on too expensive for me, especially without a recommendation. Also, it begins the day after an Appleseed Project event that I am hoping to attend. I am not sure how beat up I will be after that weekend.

Most of what I have found is for law enforcement, or CCW, which I am not interested in at this time. So, perhaps I am not using the correct search terms, and advice on that would be helpful as well.


PS - I know this belongs in the Firearms section, but I was hoping to get as much advice as possible before it is moved.

[Dogman]

Does anyone have suggestions or recommendations for pistol firearms training in the Southwest USA? I'll be in the Southwest until the rest of the USA warms up, and I'd really like to take a 3-7 day pistol training course. I'm not wealthy, so cost matters, but I am willing to pay for quality.

I am looking for the handgun equivalent to the Appleseed Project events.

I found this 5 day course from Gunsite Academy (http://www.gunsite.com/main/course-offerings/pistol/250-defensive-pistol/), and it sounds great but at $1428, it's bordering on too expensive for me, especially without a recommendation. Also, it begins the day after an Appleseed Project event that I am hoping to attend. I am not sure how beat up I will be after that weekend.

Most of what I have found is for law enforcement, or CCW, which I am not interested in at this time. So, perhaps I am not using the correct search terms, and advice on that would be helpful as well.


PS - I know this belongs in the Firearms section, but I was hoping to get as much advice as possible before it is moved.


The Gunsite Academy Is expensive but it is probably the best in the world in what they do and teach!

RIP!. Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper was a guru and the academy he founded is the cream of the cream. IMHO!

[big country]

I agree with dogman, gunsite is high quality and I have heard good things about it.

Also there is Frontsight http://www.frontsight.com/ which has a lot of gimmicky feel on the website, but I have heard good things about their training course too...they do have somewhat ominous finances and I think they may be in backruptcy...but if you get the class who cares about that? I've heard good stuff about the actual material and class.

Check this page for the "gimmicky feel"
https://www.frontsight.com/free-gun.asp
But it is by far the best deal I have found on their website. I wouldn't turn down a frontsight training, but I dont know if I would pay for it either.


I would probably choose gunsight over frontsight though personally. Just giving you another option.

[k-os]

I agree with dogman, gunsite is high quality and I have heard good things about it.

Also there is Frontsight http://www.frontsight.com/ which has a lot of gimmicky feel on the website, but I have heard good things about their training course too...they do have somewhat ominous finances and I think they may be in backruptcy...but if you get the class who cares about that? I've heard good stuff about the actual material and class.

Check this page for the "gimmicky feel"
https://www.frontsight.com/free-gun.asp
But it is by far the best deal I have found on their website. I wouldn't turn down a frontsight training, but I dont know if I would pay for it either.


I would probably choose gunsight over frontsight though personally. Just giving you another option.


Thanks for the option. That free-gun page certainly feels like a late night infomercial, with the "but wait, there's more" dialogue. A four day defensive handgun training course is $2000. Ouch.

[Cebu_4_2]

Poke around here:

http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/

Me and my wife went to class for under 200 each which included the CPL test and 4 hours of training (mostly a retired cop spewing old laws that didn't matter). If that link does not help in your area search CCW or CPL class. You don't need to get the permit but that is the general type of class I think your after. If all else fails call some local gun shops and ask them for contacts for a CPL class.

[Cobalt]

Try contacting ranges that rent or sell guns, many of them offer classes as a way of gaining clients

[EE_]

Check this one out
I could throw ya a glock or Beretta to go take it
http://www.shotsranch.com/Civilian/classes/ladies-only-handgun-seminar
http://www.shotsranch.com/Civilian/classes/defensive-carbine-mini-camp
http://www.shotsranch.com/Civilian/classes/defensive-handgun-mini-camp

Or if you dare http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/march26-272011-advancedriflegunfighting-kingmanaz.aspx

[Heimdhal]

+1 for gunsite. Another you could look up which i think is out near you is Thunder Ranch. Fantastic reviews on that one as well.

Most of these places are gonna cost ya big bucks. Its the nature of it. What you can try to do is find a small gun range, as others suggested and see what they have to offer in smaller classes (usualy a one day deal).

If you dont find one by the time you get back down here, I'd be happy to work with you, since pistol and carbine were my main area of practice before rifle and appleseed. I also know some great handgun trainers down here, and am friends with one of the best in the state. He'd be more than willing to take you/us out to his private SO range (as he has done with me in the past) and give you the finer points of defensive pistol.

Dont discount a class that focuses around defensive carry even if you arent intent on carrying just yet. Fighting wth a pistol is fighting with a pistol and it dont matter if it comes from your glove box, dresser drawer or IWB holster, once its in your hand the same techniques and methods apply.

Good luck finding a place, Im proud of ya K!

[k-os]

Good luck finding a place, Im proud of ya K!


Aw! |--0--|

[k-os]

I just noticed Gunsite Acadamy has a "Ladies Pistol", 2 day course for $571, which I think would be the best of both worlds (reputation, plus it doesn't break the bank), but it's in May.

[Book]

http://blogs.bu.edu/ombs/files/2010/11/central-park-763209.jpg

After dark. It's free.

:D

[Walter Mitty]

Try Suarez International. They have 2- day weekend courses that are not to expensive. They also offer a ladies class taught by a women.
You can get a list of their classes through the website www.warriortalk.com
Suarez gets alot of flak from some people.But in my opinion but His approach of teaching a combination of older methodologies ( Sykes-Fairborn,Applegate etc) with the newer Modern Teqhnique (MT)methods (Cooper) then integrating some Eastern & Western Martial Arts Movement Concepts is the right way to teach gunfighting. Just my .02.

[Awoke]

Frontsight firearms training institute is 20 minutes outside of Vegas.

They offer a PILE of courses.

www.frontsight.com

[horseshoe3]

I've heard very good things about Badlands Tactical. And their prices are lower than most.

Its in Grandfield OK, so it might not be far enough southwest for you, but I thought I'd throw it out there.