Give a newbie a training agenda

N

NateKirk

New member
So I just got my CPL and have done nothing but casually shoot paper targets all my life.
I have a Sig Sauer P238 Equinox for a carry gun
I have an IWB holster from Cooks Holsters and around 1250 rds of ammunition

Where should I start as far as personal defense training goes? I figured I'd start with drawing the gun from the holster using the proper grip and finger placement. Once I got that down I'd practice my shooting starting with gun at side, bringing up into position and firing. Then once step one and two were good and I had the confidence to not accidentally shoot myself I'd put it all together; drawing from the holster and firing. After that I'd practice more tactical things such as shooting and moving, from different positions, practice point shooting, etc.

What do you think? Any changes you'd make or suggestions? How would YOU train?
 
It's very hard to train yourself.
And all too easy to get it all wrong and have to unlearn to relearn.
With all the training facilities available these days, there's probably some nearby.
I got a very good foundation of skills from those who knew, when I knew nothing.
Looking back, trying to do it without their help would have been at best a waste of time and at worse a disaster.
 
Plenty will show up with a web search for Michigan firearms training.
I just tried it and there's a lot.
Same for Ohio and Indiana.
They're literally everywhere.
But be aware, they're like potato chips, you can't stop with just one.
And don't forget the action games like IDPA and USPSA for example.
I probably learned as much about shooting and gun handling there as from the training sessions.
While they are no way a substitute for the training necessary for surviving deadly encounters, they do serve that other purpose very well.
But get the training first.
That way you will be less likely to scare the match range officers or risk disqualifications.
 
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Welcome to TFL.

An excellent choice for a first class is Massad Ayoob's MAG-40. He travels and offers his classes in a variety of locations.

Unfortunately, you just missed a MAG-40 in Cleveland. He'll be doing a MAG-40 in Rochester, Indiana the end of this month, and he'll be in Illinois in early October. Check his schedule. He should be posting more 2016 classes before too long.
 
Yeah I looked into Massad Ayoob; I've heard good things about his classes. Maybe I'll sign up for the next class in Indiana
 
There's an excellent, well-established firearms school in Ohio -- Tactical Defense Institute. That's in West Union, and I suspect the drive would be quite worth it.

One of TDI's staff members, Greg Ellifritz, has an excellent blog and a training company of his own -- Active Response Training. Greg and his cohorts do quite a bit of traveling throughout Ohio and the midwest; see http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/upcoming-classes for his schedule.

There's also a well regarded school near Rochester, Indiana -- Sand Burr Gun Ranch. It hosts a wide selection of traveling trainers every year, including Massad Ayoob (MAG-40) and John Farnam. Either of those instructors would give you an excellent start.

pax
 
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