People that have never received training please read!

**C4IGrant** · 05-28-13, 09:08

This Sunday, I did a private pistol class. There were 15 students in total. All of them had their CCW. All were white males ages 30 and above. Some were ex-military (Army AA), CCW instructors, etc. As I watched them shoot (from 21ft), I was just shocked at how little they knew about:

1. Their gun.
2. How to hold it.
3. How to load it, chamber it, etc.
4. Can hit anything.

On top of this, many were using cloth or nylon holsters, cheap/crap guns, SOB type holsters, etc.

People that are left to learn to shoot on their own are typically an absolute train wreck! So please, please get some QUALITY training or if you do not have that money, find a mentor that will steer you in the right direction in regards to gear, guns and how to use them. If you cannot find a mentor, contact me, I have tons of friends that will assist you!

I know most of what I am saying is "known" to the bulk of M4C readers, but hopefully there is just one person that is reading this that realizes that he doesn't know what he doesn't know.

C4

**Endur** · 05-28-13, 09:17

Just to chime in if anyone new needs help with gear let me know. I have owned and ran gear from many companies out there in my short time in the Army and seen many non-geardo's who needed help with gear selection and set up. I am willing to help anyone. If I don't know I will find out or steer you in the direction of someone who can.

**NeoNeanderthal** · 05-28-13, 10:20

It never ceases to amaze me how bad "self taught" shooters can be. I mean, missing a man/idpa sized target at 7 yards with no time constraints just taking their time shooting. For every 10 shots they miss a couple.

Excuses are my favorite when they miss by two feet and hit the shoulder or bottom corner. "Thats not a miss, i hit the guy. I wouldnt want to get shot there, would you?"

I am no highspeed operator, but (no offense) when cops are considered highly trained shooters by our society…I call that a clue.

Local yocals see me shoot at my range and they think i'm some naturally gifted, athletic, marksmen. I try to explain to them that i'm naturally inaccurate and have not been shooting for that long. There are things called fundamentals. Which can be taught.

**markm** · 05-28-13, 10:24

It's a good thing that most people will never have to defend themselves with a gun.

**gesundheit** · 05-28-13, 10:37

Originally Posted by markm

It's a good thing that most people will never have to defend themselves with a gun.

They might end up shooting everyone but the bad guy

While Internet, from good reputable instructors/sites, can provide insights, it can't beat an instructor looking at you while you are shooting and recommending tweaks that pertain to you and you alone. No amount of Internet reading will touch upon that. So in the end not taking a class will actually drill in bad habits that will be more expensive (and harder) to fix later on.

**lunchbox** · 05-28-13, 10:49

Great thread and posts, couldn't agree more. As a civilian with firearms experience limited to hunting exp. with rifles/shotguns, and only casual plinking with pistols. Gotta say this is worst case (or maybe just sayin because was my situation), it can give you the false sense of knowledge and security in abilities. After taking a handful of classes and knowing how much I sucked before (and I was and still am a hell of a shot.. On a deer standing still), I try to tell friends/fellow hunters the need for prof training from quality instructor (and get little to no consideration cause "hell they already know how to shoot!"). Not all are like this, but there are a good many out there.

**jmnielsen** · 05-28-13, 10:51

I've had no formal training, so it's high on my list of things to do (cost being a factor in it being delayed) but I can say there is an abundance of helpful information on here that has helped me improve in many ways as a shooter and helped in provided great information on choices for gear.

**Wreckingball911** · 05-28-13, 10:55

This is also high on my list once I get a new job. Can anyone recommend a beginners class near (ish) to western NC (Boone/hickory)?

**RogerinTPA** · 05-28-13, 11:05

Indeed. Just going to the range a couple of times a year is not sufficient. I equate shooting with flying. If you don't do it enough to gain and maintain proficiency, your skills will start to deteriorate after just a few weeks. Watching the abortion going on at my local range is proof enough. The last time I was on the range, I let a gal and her BF shoot my carbine, since she had watched me doing some drills and was very interested in shooting it since she never shot one before. She was actually way better than her BF as far as shot placement. His response was, Wow, this is just like Call of Duty! I said I wouldn't know since I don't play video games. It's sad when the general population thinks it's, in their mind, equipped to handle a firearm in a gunfight after watching action movies or playing Call of Duty over and over again.