They offer a variety of classes taught by well qualified professionals with law enforcement and military experience in firearms and tactical training. Having no prior experience, I signed up for the very basic introductory course to handguns, Handgun 101.
I say "basic" and "introductory" but honestly, this was an 8 hour course with 4 of those being classroom training, 2 actually shooting on the range and 1 breaking down, cleaning and reassembling the handguns. (we broke for 1 hour at lunch)
The shooting experience was far more intense than I had expected! The instructor began with a demonstration, having us gather around him while he fired his .40 Sig pistol at a target from 3 yards. He put three bullets through the exact same hole in the target. What impressed me more than his accuracy and precision was the percussion felt when the gun was fired!
If you've ever been to a concert and stood close to the speakers on the stage you've felt the reverberations to your very core. It was kinda like that. And loud! Even with the ear protection. Granted we were indoors, but still. I suppose the 35,000 psi that builds up in the barrel has to go somewhere!
After the demonstration, we were put through our own exercises with 9mm Sig Sauer P229's. The sensation was incredible. The smell of the gunsmoke, sound of the simultaineous gunfire, feel of the brass shell casings raining down on you as you tried to focus on the tiny spot on the target and put those bullets through the first hole that you made.
It took me a few minutes to adjust to it all and settle the nerves, but once I did, oh what fun it was!
I've already signed up for the second class, Handgun 102: Basic Practical Handgun Skills, that will take place on February 23rd. It's another 8 hour class, and I can't wait to learn more.
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| Brass flying as I shoot for the first time. |
You are doing it the right way and getting training. Woot!
ReplyDeleteI've quit riding without a gun. I'm hoping I never have to use it, but we've had enough scary encounters that it makes both me and hubby feel better I have it.
Indeed! I really wanted to know safe handling and shooting techniques before I went out and bought one. :) I plan on getting my CCP so I can take it with me when I go out in the woods alone, which is quite frequently. Personal protection was the motivator, but I think recreational shooting is going to be alot of fun too!
DeleteSo much fun!! My dad taught me to shoot a .22 rifle as a little kid and my husband taught me how to shoot pistols. He taught me the correct way to shoot and all about firearm safety. My husband used to shoot pistols competitively and was also an armed nuclear security officer for six or seven years! He was even contract security for a year overseas, so I'm pretty sure he's qualified LOL. I LOVE it! We go to the range all the time to practice. I've never been to an indoor one though. I think it would be cool to try it out. :)
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