Give a newbie a training agenda

NateKirk · September 2, 2015, 07:16 PM

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?

g.willikers · September 2, 2015, 07:42 PM

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.

NateKirk · September 2, 2015, 07:53 PM

Can anyone recommend a good school in Michigan or northern Ohio?

g.willikers · September 2, 2015, 08:10 PM

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.

**Frank Ettin** · September 3, 2015, 01:37 AM

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.

NateKirk · September 3, 2015, 03:24 PM

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

pax · September 4, 2015, 04:01 PM

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

Tamara · September 6, 2015, 07:59 AM

Alliance Police Training, operated by the Alliance, Ohio PD, is maybe the finest facility of its type between Moyock, NC and Paulden, AZ.

They host a bunch of extremely good teachers of gun-fu.

September 2, 2015, 07:16 PM	#1
NateKirk Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2013 Location: Detroit Posts: 435	Give a newbie a training agenda 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? __________________ “Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".” ― --Thomas Jefferson

September 2, 2015, 07:42 PM	#2
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	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. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

September 2, 2015, 07:53 PM	#3
NateKirk Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2013 Location: Detroit Posts: 435	Can anyone recommend a good school in Michigan or northern Ohio? __________________ “Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".” ― --Thomas Jefferson

September 2, 2015, 08:10 PM	#4
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	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. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.” Last edited by g.willikers; September 2, 2015 at 08:21 PM.

September 3, 2015, 01:37 AM	#5
Frank Ettin Staff Join Date: November 23, 2005 Location: California - San Francisco Posts: 9,471	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. __________________ "It is long been a principle of ours that one is no more armed because he has possession of a firearm than he is a musician because he owns a piano. There is no point in having a gun if you are not capable of using it skillfully." -- Jeff Cooper

September 3, 2015, 03:24 PM	#6
NateKirk Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2013 Location: Detroit Posts: 435	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 __________________ “Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".” ― --Thomas Jefferson

September 4, 2015, 04:01 PM	#7
pax Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Location: In a state of flux Posts: 7,520	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 __________________ Kathy Jackson My personal website: Cornered Cat

September 6, 2015, 07:59 AM	#8
Tamara Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 11, 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 16,002	Alliance Police Training, operated by the Alliance, Ohio PD, is maybe the finest facility of its type between Moyock, NC and Paulden, AZ. They host a bunch of extremely good teachers of gun-fu. __________________ MOLON LABE! 2% Unobtainium, 98% Hypetanium. The Arms Room: An Online Museum.