Posted: 6/4/2006 1:04:39 PM EDT
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I have been looking into taking a handgun training class(can never get enough), and I thouht [:\]why not ask Oregon AR15com members what schools they have been to and share thier opion. I'm only interested in classes you have taken IN OREGON. If you want to use millitary/police or out of the stste training as a way to compare with your instate class or as backround for your opion great. I would like to learn more about the wonderful programs we have here. Basic format: Where, (school/instructer, city) Name of class Hours Cost (approximate) nearest $20 Nmber of rounds needed Instructor/student (ratio of staff to student) Range (indoor/outdoor? your impression) Tell me what you liked Tell me what you did not like the list of gear are pretty much the same on all the on-line adds so lets skipp it for this thread(I know I like to talk gear but that should be another thread) I have found several on-line, and I think thier are several instructers who offer class, just not on-line. share your good and bad with the rest of us. Help us help ourselves. h.gifh.gif |
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Oregon Firearms Academy I've only taken the basic handgun class there but was very impressed. Good instructors and an excellent location. I do plan to go back for the defensive handgun series. |
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I just took urban rifle in May. Where: Thunder Ranch, Lakeview, OR Name of class: Urban Rifle Hours: 24 Cost: $750 Nmber of rounds needed: 1000 +/- and 50 Pistol Instructor/student ratio: 2:8 Range: outdoor you have to use lead free ammo. |
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Another recommendation for Oregon Firearms Academy. I've taken several classes at OFA: DH1, DH2, DH2 w/ Low light,night fire, Low Light, Shotgun, CEOTWK. Most classes have at least 4 staff to a max of 16 students. Very informative and personalized training. If you're having a difficulty with one aspect one of hte instructors will help with a private tutorial to get you up to speed. Classes vary from $120 to 200+ depending on length All the information you need is on their site listed above. I've also taken classes from Jim Jacobe in Salem. www.jimjacobe.com I plan to go back this summer for a class or 2. Very knowledgable guy with a notch towards legalities in Oregon. If nothing else I recommend his 3 hour Thurs night class for $35. |
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+1 for Jim Jacobe. Probably one of the most well versed in Oregon re: the law and what actually happens in a courtroom. He's certified expert witness, so he know what to do, and what will happen. Very solid instruction, he's not too terribly impressed with a lot of the "High Speed Low Drag" types. He also does a lot of guest instruction work at Firearms Acadeny of Seattle, so he knows his stuff. Staff / Student ratio on the line averages 1/3. Also offers Combat Rifle classes a couple of times a year with Georges Rahbani. Shooting classes will run you 100-165, round counts will go from 100 to upwards of 700 for his highest level classes. The Wife and I each burned around 1K rounds in the rifle class. Interesting thing though, none of it is "Mad Minute" firing. You just get a lot of trigger time. To my knowledge, best safety record of any insrtuctor in Oregon. |
Oh yeah, and some guy named Smith, Clint Smith. 
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Another for OFA I've done DH1, DH2, CEOTWK, 2day Defensive CArbine and Long Range Rifle. Lots of personal attention from the instructors, friendly atmosphere, quality instruction. I think I went through about 400rds or so on a one day class, double that for a 2 day. |
Did you do CEOTWK this year? or last? Just curious if I've trained with ya. |
Last summer, on the gravel. I hear they have mats now. I think we were in DH2 together also. |
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Big +1 for OFA Basic format: Defensive Handgun, Shotgun, Carbine Where, (school/instructor, city) Oregon Firearms Academy - Central Willamette Valley, Four or more very knowledgably instructors, Dan Abbott is the head honcho/buffalo killer. The instructors work very well together with repetitive, understandable commands. Name of class Defensive Handgun I, II, II, I have personally taken. The are more. Chack out www.oregonfirearmsacademy.com Hours Most are 8 hours a day and 1 to 2 days Cost (approximate) nearest $20 About $100 - $120 a class Nmber of rounds needed 500 per day Instructor/student (ratio of staff to student) 1 to 4 approx when I attend Range (indoor/outdoor? your impression) Outdoor, multiple target depending on class/level, gravel. I like the course. I’m not there to sit on a heated toilet seat. However, having said that the latrines are very nice. The ladies outhouse rocks!!!! Tell me what you liked: Instructors PERIOD! Tell me what you did not like: No free ammo Help us help ourselves.  |
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A few thoughts: Marty's (FAS) classes are generally well run and a fair value in instruction. Although you specified in-state, some in Oregon are willing to consider FAS "close enough". PSTC in Clackamas, although wonderfully clean, is severely limited by their facility (indoor range) and the fact that one must use PSTC's (overpriced) ammo. Generally geared toward new/inexperienced shooters (teaching rudiments), but Stu Nakamura (retired SWAT) knows his entry/team tactics training (not part of PSTC training). I love traditional classes, but rarely learn anything new - it's like a play/practice day (which I'm not knocking) . If one is familiar with basics (trigger control, sight alignment/picture, presentation, tactical/speed/administrative reloads, movement, use of cover, etc.), one may not learn much that directly benefits/improves their shooting ability. If one has access to an action range (such as TCGC's action pits) one can easily set up their own exercises (quite similar to general classes). Participating in matches (regardless of type) can also be excellent practice and can offer educational opportunities. It might be interesting to have a group of people organize and run an informal training day at TCGC and swap techniques - there are enough of us with experience that several of us could "lead" the training. That may be as educational and enjoyable (and considerably less expensive) than attending a formal class at a school. Depending on what you're looking for in training (and your level of experience), you may be well served by another option. If you can draw, shoot, move, reload, etc. but want to do it better (faster, more accurately, smoother), you may want to consider breaking your technique down, evaluating it, and improving it. One can get a tutorial (private, or small group) with an IPSC GM (these guys generally know more about analyzing and refining technique so that one isn't merely "practicing", but "practicing perfectly") than most general purpose or tactical shooting classes. They're also often less expensive. Best of luck, ac |