Competence Level Before Holster Course?
- Thread starter mmattockx
- Start date
the problem i find with most males is that they buy a gun and go and shot it with no instruction (and yes i fell into that category.) if the gun is shooting left they will either move the sight or hold right. gun doesn't cycle cut the spring or load some hot rounds. they don't look for the root of the problem just for a fix. they then come to a course and the instructor has to spend hours breaking their bad habits and then the student gets frustrated because everything he learns now leads to poor hits. more time required by the instructor so that student doesn't go away feeling bad.
My suggestion at a minimum is that if you buy a gun and have never shot before, then go take some instructions. it is amazing what a little bit of grip instruction will do for a handgun shooter.
My suggestion at a minimum is that if you buy a gun and have never shot before, then go take some instructions. it is amazing what a little bit of grip instruction will do for a handgun shooter.
How about we stress personal responsibility and leave it up to the individual to make up his own mind what, if any instruction he needs. Next thing we know we will have government regulations stipulating how many hours of instruction you need before you get up in the morning.
We already have the PAL course, surely to god that is enough in the way of madated instruction. Thirty years of Liberal rule and we have whole generations incapable of taking a crunch without a collective group think.
Take Care
Bob
I plan to hit up Dragoon and others at the club a bit if I need some help. I have had a number of PM's from the Olds club members and other Calgary area shooters with many offers of help and advice. It is a very close, helpful group around here and I don't think I will lack for assistance at all.
I am under no illusion that I know it all or have any sort of talent for this, I am quite willing to listen to people that have more experience and better skills than I do. There is no other way to learn...
Mark
PAL course as a hand gun instruction course! what a joke and i teach it. the only thing you need to know for the RPAL is cross thumbs for a revolver grip and thumbs on the weak side for a pistol grip.
No where did i say it should be mandatory to take firearms instructions. what i did say was that i recommende if you want to be able to properly shoot a firearm that you should take some instructions.
No where did i say it should be mandatory to take firearms instructions. what i did say was that i recommende if you want to be able to properly shoot a firearm that you should take some instructions.
Walter Hornby
HI
Comment wsn't directed at you. Just an observation. I agree the PAL course has nothing to do with handgun instruction or at least very little. I, like many, escaped the PAL course by answering 20 questions on a multiple answer question sheet handed out in Ontario when all this got started.
There are lots of capable folks at clubs who can get new shooters started in the right direction. In addition there is a wealth of information on the net or available on CD's.
What we don't need is the mind set mandated by the Ontario CFO migrating out west.
Take Care
Bob
HI
Comment wsn't directed at you. Just an observation. I agree the PAL course has nothing to do with handgun instruction or at least very little. I, like many, escaped the PAL course by answering 20 questions on a multiple answer question sheet handed out in Ontario when all this got started.
There are lots of capable folks at clubs who can get new shooters started in the right direction. In addition there is a wealth of information on the net or available on CD's.
What we don't need is the mind set mandated by the Ontario CFO migrating out west.
Take Care
Bob
bob I am with you on the keep ontario BS out of western canada, but on theother side each instructor if they are teaching the BB or any other course does have the right to specify some basic competency skill level before students can attend his course....
BUT and a BIG BUT here.... excluding shooters from the Black Badge or any other MANDATORY course so that you can attend and participate in a shooting sport is just plain silly and makes those sports harder for joe average to play in.
considering there is no "beginner" handgun instructors around to get you set to take the course the instructors should make the course very "beginner" friendly.... even going to the point of making a 2 day course an actual 3 day course, bring the newbies in on day 1 and run thru some classroom safety and range safety before the experienced shooters show up for days 2 and 3.
realize in canada that all these courses are put on by volunteers, so sure there has to be some flexability in your schedule to meet their schedule (and remember that all instructors love a tim hortons hot chocolate
) but as instructors I believe they also have a duty to bring as many shooters into which ever fold they are teaching.
one of my dreams is to get certified to teach the firearms safety course(s).... I would do it for the cost of the books, keep the student costs to zero except for books and exams fees and get 100's of more shooters shooting.
BUT and a BIG BUT here.... excluding shooters from the Black Badge or any other MANDATORY course so that you can attend and participate in a shooting sport is just plain silly and makes those sports harder for joe average to play in.
considering there is no "beginner" handgun instructors around to get you set to take the course the instructors should make the course very "beginner" friendly.... even going to the point of making a 2 day course an actual 3 day course, bring the newbies in on day 1 and run thru some classroom safety and range safety before the experienced shooters show up for days 2 and 3.
realize in canada that all these courses are put on by volunteers, so sure there has to be some flexability in your schedule to meet their schedule (and remember that all instructors love a tim hortons hot chocolate
) but as instructors I believe they also have a duty to bring as many shooters into which ever fold they are teaching.one of my dreams is to get certified to teach the firearms safety course(s).... I would do it for the cost of the books, keep the student costs to zero except for books and exams fees and get 100's of more shooters shooting.
IPSC/IDPA "black badge" courses are about being safe when using a holster. Nobody cares about how well you can shoot.
"...expect that one range session will..." How's your upper body tone? Got a strong grip? Both are important for good shooting with a handgun.
"...expect that one range session will..." How's your upper body tone? Got a strong grip? Both are important for good shooting with a handgun.
IIRC, there are time and accuracy criteria that must be achieved before a 'pass' is awarded.
Here's my opinion...
Before committing to any one firearm or any one shooting sport I recommend you go to TSE (since you're in Airdrie) and try as many different firearms as possible. Find, first of all, what works for you (based on ergonomics, SA, DA or both, parts, services, etc.). After that, determine what kind of activity/sport you want to be part of. Talk to people, go watch IPSC, IDPA matches, etc. There are a variety of different entry level courses you can take in order to become familiarized with the draw stroke, presentation, sight picture, stance, grip, trigger reset, etc. Your goal at this point should be proper technique, and not speed or accuracy (they will come to you with proper training). At this point, you should be able to determine whether you want to sign up for IPSC, IDPA or both. Remember, make sure you have the proper certification for the sport you choose. At this point, you have probably made a decision regarding the firearm; now research your equipment such as holsters, mag pouches, etc. You want to make sure they comply with the sport you've chosen. Practice a lot, but with purpose.
Before committing to any one firearm or any one shooting sport I recommend you go to TSE (since you're in Airdrie) and try as many different firearms as possible. Find, first of all, what works for you (based on ergonomics, SA, DA or both, parts, services, etc.). After that, determine what kind of activity/sport you want to be part of. Talk to people, go watch IPSC, IDPA matches, etc. There are a variety of different entry level courses you can take in order to become familiarized with the draw stroke, presentation, sight picture, stance, grip, trigger reset, etc. Your goal at this point should be proper technique, and not speed or accuracy (they will come to you with proper training). At this point, you should be able to determine whether you want to sign up for IPSC, IDPA or both. Remember, make sure you have the proper certification for the sport you choose. At this point, you have probably made a decision regarding the firearm; now research your equipment such as holsters, mag pouches, etc. You want to make sure they comply with the sport you've chosen. Practice a lot, but with purpose.
Practice is the key. There are plenty of videos out there from professional instructors that can get you started. Once you understand the fundamentals then it is all about practice. Set your expectation level for the sport and go out and enjoy yourself.
One thing I would not do is spend $400 - $500 for a handgun course early in your learning curve. Two weeks after the course you won't remember half of what you picked up on the course. Action shooting is not unlike like golf. I have watched guys spend money on golf lessons and high end equipment and never go and practice. At the end of the day they still had their 18+ handicap and were really no further ahead then they were before the lesson. There is no easy way to improve.
While we had shooting on the 2nd day, my IPSC Black Badge experience was all about the rules of IPSC which was important if you want to play the sport. The 2nd day of shooting gave the instructor a chance to observe the shooters and make sure they were capable of playing the game safely which was very important.
The IDPA New Shooters Orientation Course is geared to achieve the same thing. Before I took either I would want to spend sometime on the range with a club instructor geared towards learning the funadamentals of holster presentation. That and practicing either at the range or dry firing at home and practicing my draws and reloads.
Drwing a gun safely out of a holster is not rocket science and can be learned quickly. Doing it quickly and shooting accurately...now that takes practice and skill.
Take Care
Bob
One thing I would not do is spend $400 - $500 for a handgun course early in your learning curve. Two weeks after the course you won't remember half of what you picked up on the course. Action shooting is not unlike like golf. I have watched guys spend money on golf lessons and high end equipment and never go and practice. At the end of the day they still had their 18+ handicap and were really no further ahead then they were before the lesson. There is no easy way to improve.
While we had shooting on the 2nd day, my IPSC Black Badge experience was all about the rules of IPSC which was important if you want to play the sport. The 2nd day of shooting gave the instructor a chance to observe the shooters and make sure they were capable of playing the game safely which was very important.
The IDPA New Shooters Orientation Course is geared to achieve the same thing. Before I took either I would want to spend sometime on the range with a club instructor geared towards learning the funadamentals of holster presentation. That and practicing either at the range or dry firing at home and practicing my draws and reloads.
Drwing a gun safely out of a holster is not rocket science and can be learned quickly. Doing it quickly and shooting accurately...now that takes practice and skill.
Take Care
Bob
Wes, what is a "beginner" instructor? personally i will teach a basic handgun course. can you say grip? i have done this a few times and so far my feedback has usually gone along the lines of "WOW, i didn't realize what a difference a little training could make."
I know, I know... BUT except for maybe the indoor shooting ranges there is no "club" instructor in western canada outdoor ranges, I have helped many a newbie, but usually I will give them pointers and try not to mess up what they are doing unless it is unsafe, for example using a revolver grip on a semi.
we are going to try to host a couple of the IDPA new shooter orientations this year, and see how it goes.
My wife was required to do 10 probation shoots at our club before she was a full member. That was enough for my wife, who never had any experience with firearms before to take the holster qualifiction course and be successful.
