(TX) DFW Area Initial Handgun Training

geogecko · October 14, 2006, 10:52 PM

I have never fired a pistol in my life, other than a BB gun, and neither has my wife. We are considering taking some kind of initial training somewhere, and I've basically narrowed it down to these two places (I'm open to others within a certain distance).

#1 http://dfwgun.com/IntroFirearms.htm
#2 http://www.dallaspistolclub.com/nrabasicpistol.php

It's a bit confusing, here, because choice #1 is $115 for 2 hours, and #2 is $60 for 10-12 hours. Seems like the more intensive training would be the longer one, but I don't know.

I like the first one, as I get to know a place that I would probably consider shooting at (non-membership)...

If I really get into it, then I plan on taking some training out at Tac Pro, but that's a drive for me (at least an hour or more). I live in the Northwest Dallas area, near Grapevine Lake.

I'm open to other places, but would like to get recommendations, or opinions if you have used one of the places listed here.

Thanks!

Venison_Jerkey32 · October 14, 2006, 11:19 PM

As far as DFW area is concerned, I would suggest The Bullet Trap inc, because I have had good experience with them, never taken any courses there, but their website has information. They are in Plano so it isn't in your backyard. They also have alot of pistols to rent and try out. YMMV hope I could help.

http://www.bullettrapinc.com/

**JohnKSa** · October 14, 2006, 11:47 PM

The price difference is due to the curriculum difference. The length of the course isn't a good gauge of the value.

The 2 hour course is primarily a shooting course with the range providing guns for you to try out and to learn to shoot. It's also one-on-one instruction which means that you're the only means of support for that instructor for those two hours.

The 10 hour course is a general knowledge course about pistols and firearm safety, not a shooting instruction course. It's primarily a classroom course--there's very little shooting involved. There will most likely be several other students in the class so the cost of the instructor is shared.

If you know absolutely nothing about guns and your primary interest is in becoming a safe and knowledgeable gun owner, the 10 hour course is a good start.

If you need to get some shooting practice to improve your proficiency with a pistol, the 2 hour course is for you.

geogecko · October 15, 2006, 12:11 AM

Thanks for the replys. Good information.

Bullet Trap sounds like a nice range. Not very close, and will depend on what days they offer classes, but I could probably do that. Ah, 5:30 on Thursdays won't work...

I've been reading a lot, and reading several online sites about handguns and CHL, so I know a little bit about them, and the responsibility. I think that both courses sound pretty good, although I wish there was more a combination of the two, you know, like half a day in the classroom, and an hour or two of individual attention in shooting training. That would be ideal.

I think the two hour course sounds like the best to me right now. I think the one-on-one training would be good for both myself and my wife.

Big Calhoun · October 16, 2006, 10:52 AM

DFW Gun is good for more advanced classes, particularly security training.

The Bullet Trap is very friendly, and their initial gun classes are thorough and easy to follow. They also offer CHL classes which I should be getting into one next month.

I'm in the same boat. DFW Gun is only 20 minutes or so away from me, the Bullet Trap is murderous ride down 635 and 75 and then you hit all the construction at the Park Blvd exit...pain in the arse. IMO, though, you'll have a much better experience at the Bullet Trap.

geogecko · October 16, 2006, 01:12 PM

I'll take your word on that. I don't think my wife is that interested right now, so it may be easier for me to go to BT. I'll have to take off work early on one day to do it though, since it would probably take me an hour and a half to get t0 Plano from Grand Prairie.

Looks like the training lasts a bit longer, and with only 10 students, it should be fairly one-on-one (or at least, better instructor to student ratio).

I'll probably take the CHL after this class, hopefully after having fired several rounds through my gun, once I get it...

Edit:
BTW, what is Northbound 75 like around 4:30 in the afternoon, on a weekday.

I just signed up for the class coming up.

Big Calhoun · October 16, 2006, 01:57 PM

Northbound on 75 in the afternoon on a weekday is trecherous. All that work they're doing around Park Blvd and Parker Rd backs up everything coming off the mixmaster. Add about 25-35 minutes to your normal estimate.

If you end up needing to absolutely need an evening class, I think DFW Gun has a little more flexibility.

geogecko · October 16, 2006, 02:08 PM

They do, because they have a Friday class, and I have every other Friday off, so that would be better, but I wouldn't mind this for just one day...

I'll probably leave around 3:30 to be there by 5:30. If I get there early, I can take a look around the store.

I also asked if I could shoot a .45 during the range session, since that is what I will be getting, and they said they have one that they will be showing, and allowing us to shoot, if so desired. Seem like nice people.

geogecko · October 26, 2006, 11:30 PM

The class at Bullet Trap was this evening. It was excellent. 3mMike and Dan were awesome instructors/coaches in class and on the range. In fact, I arrived about 30 minutes early and got to look around. Everyone I talked to at the store was very friendly and nice (4 people in all).

I was amazed at how many guns we got to shoot, several .22's, 38 specials, 9mm's, and a .45.

Picking up the .22 for the first time was a little intimidating, coming from someone who has not shot a handgun before. The move up to the 38 special was surprising, and the .45 had less recoil than I thought it would.

Overall, I did the best shooting the SA 1911-A1 .45 than any, with about a 1" grouping (all touching), at 3 yards (I know, far away, huh?).

Anyway, thanks for the recommendation, I don't think the class could have been better taught.

BT is a bit of a drive for me, about 45 minutes, but I wouldn't hesitate to go there again, or make a purchase from them. Very nice folks, heck, they all even stayed 20 minutes late, since the class ran over!

xnavy · October 28, 2006, 11:24 AM

http://www.winchestergallery.com/

Here is where I go for my renewals and practice sessions.

October 14, 2006, 11:47 PM	#3
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,990	The price difference is due to the curriculum difference. The length of the course isn't a good gauge of the value. The 2 hour course is primarily a shooting course with the range providing guns for you to try out and to learn to shoot. It's also one-on-one instruction which means that you're the only means of support for that instructor for those two hours. The 10 hour course is a general knowledge course about pistols and firearm safety, not a shooting instruction course. It's primarily a classroom course--there's very little shooting involved. There will most likely be several other students in the class so the cost of the instructor is shared. If you know absolutely nothing about guns and your primary interest is in becoming a safe and knowledgeable gun owner, the 10 hour course is a good start. If you need to get some shooting practice to improve your proficiency with a pistol, the 2 hour course is for you. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

October 16, 2006, 10:52 AM	#5
Big Calhoun Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Posts: 213	DFW Gun is good for more advanced classes, particularly security training. The Bullet Trap is very friendly, and their initial gun classes are thorough and easy to follow. They also offer CHL classes which I should be getting into one next month. I'm in the same boat. DFW Gun is only 20 minutes or so away from me, the Bullet Trap is murderous ride down 635 and 75 and then you hit all the construction at the Park Blvd exit...pain in the arse. IMO, though, you'll have a much better experience at the Bullet Trap. __________________ Beretta 96FS :: HK USP Tatical :: Springfield XD45 :: Kimber Compact Stainless II :: HK P2000 SK

October 16, 2006, 01:57 PM	#7
Big Calhoun Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Posts: 213	Northbound on 75 in the afternoon on a weekday is trecherous. All that work they're doing around Park Blvd and Parker Rd backs up everything coming off the mixmaster. Add about 25-35 minutes to your normal estimate. If you end up needing to absolutely need an evening class, I think DFW Gun has a little more flexibility. __________________ Beretta 96FS :: HK USP Tatical :: Springfield XD45 :: Kimber Compact Stainless II :: HK P2000 SK

October 14, 2006, 10:52 PM	#1
geogecko Junior Member Join Date: September 24, 2006 Posts: 11	(TX) DFW Area Initial Handgun Training I have never fired a pistol in my life, other than a BB gun, and neither has my wife. We are considering taking some kind of initial training somewhere, and I've basically narrowed it down to these two places (I'm open to others within a certain distance). #1 http://dfwgun.com/IntroFirearms.htm #2 http://www.dallaspistolclub.com/nrabasicpistol.php It's a bit confusing, here, because choice #1 is $115 for 2 hours, and #2 is $60 for 10-12 hours. Seems like the more intensive training would be the longer one, but I don't know. I like the first one, as I get to know a place that I would probably consider shooting at (non-membership)... If I really get into it, then I plan on taking some training out at Tac Pro, but that's a drive for me (at least an hour or more). I live in the Northwest Dallas area, near Grapevine Lake. I'm open to other places, but would like to get recommendations, or opinions if you have used one of the places listed here. Thanks!

October 14, 2006, 11:19 PM	#2
Venison_Jerkey32 Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2006 Location: Country of Origin: Texas Posts: 192	As far as DFW area is concerned, I would suggest The Bullet Trap inc, because I have had good experience with them, never taken any courses there, but their website has information. They are in Plano so it isn't in your backyard. They also have alot of pistols to rent and try out. YMMV hope I could help. http://www.bullettrapinc.com/

October 15, 2006, 12:11 AM	#4
geogecko Junior Member Join Date: September 24, 2006 Posts: 11	Thanks for the replys. Good information. Bullet Trap sounds like a nice range. Not very close, and will depend on what days they offer classes, but I could probably do that. Ah, 5:30 on Thursdays won't work... I've been reading a lot, and reading several online sites about handguns and CHL, so I know a little bit about them, and the responsibility. I think that both courses sound pretty good, although I wish there was more a combination of the two, you know, like half a day in the classroom, and an hour or two of individual attention in shooting training. That would be ideal. I think the two hour course sounds like the best to me right now. I think the one-on-one training would be good for both myself and my wife.

October 16, 2006, 01:12 PM	#6
geogecko Junior Member Join Date: September 24, 2006 Posts: 11	I'll take your word on that. I don't think my wife is that interested right now, so it may be easier for me to go to BT. I'll have to take off work early on one day to do it though, since it would probably take me an hour and a half to get t0 Plano from Grand Prairie. Looks like the training lasts a bit longer, and with only 10 students, it should be fairly one-on-one (or at least, better instructor to student ratio). I'll probably take the CHL after this class, hopefully after having fired several rounds through my gun, once I get it... Edit: BTW, what is Northbound 75 like around 4:30 in the afternoon, on a weekday. I just signed up for the class coming up.

October 16, 2006, 02:08 PM	#8
geogecko Junior Member Join Date: September 24, 2006 Posts: 11	They do, because they have a Friday class, and I have every other Friday off, so that would be better, but I wouldn't mind this for just one day... I'll probably leave around 3:30 to be there by 5:30. If I get there early, I can take a look around the store. I also asked if I could shoot a .45 during the range session, since that is what I will be getting, and they said they have one that they will be showing, and allowing us to shoot, if so desired. Seem like nice people.

October 26, 2006, 11:30 PM	#9
geogecko Junior Member Join Date: September 24, 2006 Posts: 11	The class at Bullet Trap was this evening. It was excellent. 3mMike and Dan were awesome instructors/coaches in class and on the range. In fact, I arrived about 30 minutes early and got to look around. Everyone I talked to at the store was very friendly and nice (4 people in all). I was amazed at how many guns we got to shoot, several .22's, 38 specials, 9mm's, and a .45. Picking up the .22 for the first time was a little intimidating, coming from someone who has not shot a handgun before. The move up to the 38 special was surprising, and the .45 had less recoil than I thought it would. Overall, I did the best shooting the SA 1911-A1 .45 than any, with about a 1" grouping (all touching), at 3 yards (I know, far away, huh?). Anyway, thanks for the recommendation, I don't think the class could have been better taught. BT is a bit of a drive for me, about 45 minutes, but I wouldn't hesitate to go there again, or make a purchase from them. Very nice folks, heck, they all even stayed 20 minutes late, since the class ran over!

October 28, 2006, 11:24 AM	#10
xnavy Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 393	http://www.winchestergallery.com/ Here is where I go for my renewals and practice sessions.