Posted: 12/18/2010 5:23:00 PM EDT
| Ok I just read the TRAINING CLASS RANT and I think my thoughts are true. I have hunted and shot for about 10yrs until I was about 20 then got out of the sport for 15yrs. About 2 years ago I got back into shooting with my 8 yr old son at the time(also got my first AR ). I even took an all day basic AR class offered by me at the time that went through safety, maintance and half day range sesision on zeroing and basic shooting. Since then ive been hooked. Now here's my problem I would like to take a better carbine class to inprove my personal skills. Im not mil/le and dont belive the world is going to end and need shtf skills, with that being said do the guys teaching and students taking these class's frown upon guys like myself. thanks for your thoughts |
| I know I don't. That is why you (and everyone else) is there taking the class; to learn and improve skills. I used to be apprehensive before a big school but I realized over the years that nearly everyone else felt the same as me and I always had a blast and learned a bunch from instructors and others in the classes. |
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Quoted:
Ok I just read the TRAINING CLASS RANT and I think my thoughts are true. I have hunted and shot for about 10yrs until I was about 20 then got out of the sport for 15yrs. About 2 years ago I got back into shooting with my 8 yr old son at the time(also got my first AR ). I even took an all day basic AR class offered by me at the time that went through safety, maintance and half day range sesision on zeroing and basic shooting. Since then ive been hooked. Now here's my problem I would like to take a better carbine class to inprove my personal skills. Im not mil/le and dont belive the world is going to end and need shtf skills, with that being said do the guys teaching and students taking these class's frown upon guys like myself. thanks for your thoughts I certainly wouldn't frown on someone like you taking a class. It sounds like you're there for all the right reasons. The "basic" AR class you took before seems to have been more of a familiarization class. I'm sure you can find a 2-day basic class that goes into more detail about marksmanship and weapons manipulation. It'll be a step up from the class you took before. When you find one you want to take; tell the instructor about your experiance level and they can let you know if it's an appropriate class for you. The training class rant was referring to those who think they're much better than they really are or those that can't follow simple instructions. That doesn't sound like you at all. |
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My advice is to get into a Pat Rogers combo class and Basic Carbine followed by a Carbine Operator. Out of all the Carbine classes I have taken that is the one that I would send a relatively new shooter to. Pat does a great job in the 2 days prior to Carbine Operator to get newer students up to speed. That said there are Carbine classes that are classified as a Carbine 1, but are not for new shooters. |
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MJR,
As the OP in the thread you refer to, I'll tell you that you're already ahead of the game. Be sure and take a basic carbine course, (or 2 or 3) to get you started. Talk to your chosen instructor and I'm sure he'll answer all your pre-training course questions. Follow his advice on equipment and carbine selection. As others above have stated, have an open mind and pay attention. Show up on time, be ready and most of all, be safe. I try to take at least one basic handgun and carbine every year or so. My complaint in the other thread was not about students in beginner or basic type courses. |
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Quoted:, with that being said do the guys teaching and students taking these class's frown upon guys like myself. thanks for your thoughts
I would like to think not. As long as you find a basic/entry level class you should be fine. Have your gear set up beforehand, make sure your firearm is zeroed, show up early with what you need, have an open mind, and have a good time. Actually, I feel that guys like you get the most out of a class. Case in point, was at a class where a guy who seemed like he'd only had a rifle for about 2 days prior to the class showed up. He asked a lot of questions (questions that I'm sure other more experienced guys had, but were too embarrassed to ask), and although he did stutter (not literaly), he got a lot of pointers and help from classmates (who doesn't like to help fellow shooters?), adn by the end of the class, I could see that his mind was blown (in a good way). Being a more expereinced shooter, I'd say I got about $100 worth of a $400 class, but this guy, got like $800 worth. THat could be you, stepping past your comfort zone, and into a new world of expreience. |
| If your chosen instructor has a carbine video out I would reccomend getting it prior to a carbine class. If it is well done it will prepare you for the live class by answering alot of the questions you have and you will get more for your training dollar because you will be able to focus more. |
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You're going to do great. You'll get there, be nervous, then start having such a good time, you'll wonder what you were nervous about.
Then, if you're anything like me, you'll be checking every opportunity possible to get to the next class to push yourself harder and learn more. |
If you think being an attendee at a course is stressful, try being a new instructor!
Seriously, though. The biggest thing that's helped me learn is to keep an open mind. Put 100% into practicing the things you're taught, no matter how foreign or uncomfortable it feels at first. Once you become more skilled, you can decide what works for you and what doesn't. But it never hurts to have many "tools" in the "tool box." |
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Quoted:
If you think being an attendee at a course is stressful, try being a new instructor![img]http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/icon_smile_wink.gif[/img] Seriously, though. The biggest thing that's helped me learn is to keep an open mind. Put 100% into practicing the things you're taught, no matter how foreign or uncomfortable it feels at first. Once you become more skilled, you can decide what works for you and what doesn't. But it never hurts to have many "tools" in the "tool box." yup! i remember the first time teaching weapon retention to a bunch of soldiers. nervous as hell i did a good job and at the end everyone clapped! woooo OP dont worry about anyone else. just go and have fun and learn. youll find everyone is just about the same as you |