[brownie]

The modern technique of the pistol is founded on the following principles.

The Weaver Stance - The modern shooting stance used with the pistol is the Weaver Stance. The Weaver Stance is sometimes thought of as simply two-handed shooting. It is, however, a specialized form of two-handed shooting which uses isometric tension to provide recoil control and a stable and versatile shooting platform for the pistol. It allows rapid acquisition and target engagement with a powerful sidearm.

The presentation - This is the drawing technique utilized to allow the swift, consistent, and safe presentation of the pistol, which in turn allows the rapid and accurate delivery of hits on the target. It involves smoothness and a precise procedure to accomplish its goal.

The flash sight picture - Sight alignment is simply the proper alignment of the front and rear sights which enable the target to be hit. If the sights are not utilized the chances that a target will be missed increase exponentially as the range increase past touching distance. The flash sight picture provides an almost instantaneous verification of the sight's alignment prior to discharging the pistol.

The surprise break - As with the use of the sights the manipulation of the trigger is also important. The surprise break is simply the application of a smooth squeezing of the trigger but done in a highly compressed time interval. The trigger is not "jerked" or "mashed," it is pressed smoothly but very quickly.

The heavy-duty big-bore semiautomatic pistol - To terminate the threat of a human attacker requires a powerful blow. The science of wound ballistics (some firearms media "experts" to the contrary) shows us that the best way to achieve immediate incapacitation of an adversary to make the biggest diameter and deepest permanent hole as possible. While some suggest that a medium caliber (9mm/.38, both of which are actually .35") with an expanding bullet can be used successfully, expanding bullets often fail to expand leaving you with a smaller than desired or hoped for hole. Thus it is better to start off with a bullet that is closer to the diameter you'd like the small one to expand to, rather than to rely on expansion to save your bacon. "Big bore" is considered to be .40 caliber or greater. The semiautomatic pistol has been shown over the years to be the most efficient way to deliver a powerful blow in a lethal confrontation, especially when confronted with multiple attackers.

"The Pistol. Learn it well; wear it always!" - Jeff Cooper

The excitement and challenge of wide open competition was what led Jack Weaver to develop the Weaver Stance, with the sole purpose of winning Jeff Cooper's "Leatherslap" competition in Big Bear, California. In Cooper's own words, "It began in 1956 at Big Bear when I set up the first Leatherslap. As far as I know, it was the first match of its kind held anywhere in the world. It was unrestricted as to technique, as to weapon, as to caliber, as to holster, as to profession. It was a straight quick-draw match — just draw and hit a target at seven yards."

At that time everyone shot from the hip or one-handed from the shoulder, which is a loosely defined style know as "point shooting." This worked well on television, but in real life competition things are different. According to Jack, sometimes "what started out as serious business soon produced gales of laughter from the spectators as most of the shooters blazed away…" Then "with guns empty and all 12 rounds gone but the 18 inch balloons still standing, they had a problem: load one round and take aim or load six and blaze away again."

By the time the 1959 Leatherslap rolled around Jack had realized that "a pretty quick hit was better than a lightening-fast miss," and decided to bring the pistol up using both hands and actually aim it rather than simply point and shoot. Quoting Cooper again, "Jack walloped us all — and decisively — using a six inch Smith K-38. He was very quick and he did not miss. And, of course, he shot from the Weaver Stance, which was, and is, the way to go."

As the world of practical pistol shooting evolved, more complicated contests were developed and it was discovered that when speed was not quite as important as it was in a "Leatherslap," the Weaver Stance worked even better. In time, everyone began using it.

In 1982, the Weaver Stance received what may be the ultimate endorsement. Jack received a letter from James D. McKenzie, then assistant director of the FBI, which had just completed a year long survey of handgun shooting techniques.

Cont.

 

[brownie]

Part 2 of the "History of the Modern Technique"

We'll start with two non-Americans, Captains William Fairbairn and Eric Sykes, both British. In the 1920's, these two guys, both very tough hombres, went to Shanghai, China as police officers. Shanghai, at this time, was one very tough town. Together, Fairbairn and Sykes created a complete close quarter combat system that included firearms skills in order to combat the dangerous individuals that they would have to go up against on a daily basis. The firearms techniques they taught their fellow officers were based on simplicity and ease of training. They were only interested in what worked, and what would save lives. The most notable aspect of their techniques were the fact that they relied on natural physiological responses of human beings under stress. One handed, non-sighted fire, now known as point shooting, was the primary method for close and deadly encounters, as it was fast in engagements and got the job done. Point shooting, using one hand, was simply the fastest, most natural, and easiest-to-teach method of reactive shooting in lethal engagements at close contact distances, the most common type of combat situation in Shanghai during this time.

Well, in the early 1940's, an army colonel named Rex Applegate, familiar with Fairbairn and Syke's techniques and their effectiveness, instituted them as the primary training system for the troops in World War II. For their firearms training, Applegate taught the G.I.'s how to use one-handed point shooting to hit a target at 50 meters very quickly with very little training. This was basically a technique where one pointed, one handed, at the target with the gun, with the shooter focusing on the target over the gun's slide. The weapon was brought up to line of sight, under control and using a straight arm, with the strong foot forward. Many of the guys that went through Applegate's program ended up using these point shooting techniques to win many deadly encounters during the course of the war. This brings us to the late 1950's and into the 1960's.

This is the time of Jeff Cooper(considered to be the father of modern pistolcraft, or the "modern technique"), Bill Jordan, and Chic Gaylord. Jeff Cooper was the most outspoken of the three, and started the Southwest Combat Pistol League (SWCPL) in Big Bear, California in the 1960's. He formed the league with 5 other "masters". These were Jack Weaver, Elden Carl, Thell Reed, John Plahn, and Ray Chapman. Jack Weaver's "Weaver technique" became the predominant technique used by the top shooters, as those that used this technique were winning all the competitions. The Weaver technique employs isometric tension, where the strong hand pushes, while the support hand pulls back to control recoil. While using the Weaver, the shooter is bladed towards the target, and the support elbow is in a downward position below the strong arm. The Weaver technique simply proved to be superior to one handed techniques for long distance shooting on the types of shooting stages that were set up for the competitions of that time.

True to the politics of California, the SWCPL was soon forced to change it's name by the Governor of California at the time, to the Southwest Pistol League (SWPL). The name change was forced on it because the word "combat" was too strong for the politicians. Now, it needs to be understood that the founding members of the SWCPL, and subsequent SWPL were, at that time, considered to be the best shooters in the country. The SWPL became very important in the shooting world, and shaped the entire shooting community in the ensuing years.

In the mid 1970's, Cooper and others from the SWPL established the International Practical Shooting Confederation, a.k.a. IPSC. When it was first formed, IPSC was designed to be a testbed for combat shooting techniques, equipment, and mindset. Here was a place where the Weaver stance and other combat techniques and principles could be tested in the safety of competition. All the equipment used for this competition was defensive type gear. The matches themselves were designed with combat in mind. This would later change, and IPSC would become a pure shooting competition where high-tech competion style gear, including compensators and optical sights, would come to rule.

The Modern Tecchnique has 5 elements according to Cooper himself. The Weaver stance, the presentation, the flash sight picture, the surprise break of the trigger and the use of a big bore handgun.

The Modern Technique is 50 years old this year. When one speaks of this technique, it doesn't necessarily have to mean modern in the true sense of the word. It was born of competition, not combat. It was born through peoples experiences of one handed shooting at distances that were not conducive to one handed shooting, that had been used up until the end of WW2 by Fairbairn/Sykes and Applegate.

It is what it is. History tells us the story of the how and why of the Modern Technique and why it became considered successful over the older one handed shooting disciplines then in vogue based on combat at combative distances.

Not because it was better at staying alive, but because it was better in a competition at certain longer distances not usually encountered in self defense shootings.

The Modern Technique [ the weaver stance ] was adopted by the FBI back in 1982. It then moved through the US Law Enforcement community over decades. The same US LE community who usually takes their lead from the FBI and still does primarily today for better or worse.

There's the history. It is factual and indisputable. What can be debated is whether the LE community or the FBI should have ever adopted it to begin with for the streets.

cont.

 

[brownie]

MT was found to be better [ more accurate and faster on targets/threats ] at the longer ranges of the leatherslap matches put on by Cooper.

It was the start [ 1956 ] of most two handed shooting with the stance Jack Weaver developed [ which was only a variation on a previous stance ].

As I see it from the history lessons, it's plain that this two handed shooting was deemed a viable platform for the street by the FBI in 1982. Most every state and local dept soon fell in line with their adoption of the Weaver and two handed shooting thought process.

Apparently people forgot about the up close and personal effectiveness of the FAS systems from WW2 days over the years and just used Weaver two hand to solve all problems where a gun was the solution.

Sorta the mindset of one technique for every situation. Of course we all know that that mindset will get you killed and one needs to be more well rounded and have different skills for different resolutions based on the problem thats presented at that time. Law dogs didn't see it that way and over a long time of training in one way, were hesitant to listen to reasonable men with knowledge from the past.

Men like Applegate who, on podium after podium in front of law dogs over the years attempted to get them to look at other ways to resolve self defense scenarios with a firearm. Most of it fell on deaf ears and was lost in the haze of an unwillingness to change that which had been the status quo for generations of law dogs.

We are in different times, change has been slow, but change is in the air. It gathers momentum as we talk about it. Things have a way of coming full circle. Threat focused methodologies will not replace training out there presently, but it will be accepted as an enhancement and is now recognized by a larger segment as something vital to the survival of officers on the streets.

It's a long, hard road to get people to accept that which was proven in the past and to change. It's happening and we need to embrace those willing to change and not just tell them " I told you so"

Brownie

 

[Ghost]

How do I respond to this? There is so much info here that I'm not sure I can figure out how to say what I'm thinking without it sounding like a jumbled mess. Well, I'll try anyway.

I found it interesting that MT was simply a way to win a game. It doesn't surprise me that it became the prevalent technique. Not because it is better but because it had such powerful proponents like Jeff Cooper.

If you couple that with the fact that people like to see good results on paper targets, I can see where this technique would impress the people who make the decisions.

And now comes the kicker. The FBI decides to pick a technique. Obviously they felt this was the best way to go for the majority of situations. After all LEO can pull their weapon before a situation escalates and that should give them the upper hand. I would venture to say that FBI policies and tactics drove them to believe this was their best option.

Then it just goes down the line. FBI to State Police to County and Local Police Departments. I can understand the thought process. If it's good for the FBI, it's good for us. Since most if not all shooting schools are run by either ex-military or ex-LEO it makes perfect sense for them to teach what they know and believe to be the right way.

I, being a private citizen, shouldn't be engaging in gunfights at longer distances. If it happens at all it will be up close and personal or in the confines of a small area. ( Like in McDonald's etc.) I also probably will not have the luxury of a backup person to help me out. So my skill set needs to include point shooting. But I also must include some of that MT. As an example, if my home is invaded. I may have the time and opportunity to take an aimed shot. If so I need to be able to do it. One technique doesn't do it all.

 

[brownie]

Morning Ghost,

Nice response, and your last sentence is an important observation where training to survive with a handgun is concerned:

"One technique doesn't do it all."

Brownie

 

[Mac45]

The Weaver stance, including its variations, was never meant to be used at ranges of less than 6', even though it is used at these ranges by assault units, such as SWAT. It did prove popular, as did the totality of the Modern Technique, with law enforcement, because it was a quicker, more accurate defensive firearm tachnique. But, as with all things, firearms training changed over time.

By the end of 1970's, the FBI and most progressive urban poilce departments taught two handgun techniques. The first was used for ranges from 6' to 75'. This was the Weaver, or modified Weaver stance coupled with sight acquisition and controlled fire. The second was CQC [less than 6'] and consisted of firing from the hip, using point and shoot aiming and rapid, sustained fire. Also stressed was physically shoving or blocking the opponent to allow for a clear draw and fire.

This changed in the late 1980's. A third combat zone and movement away from the opponent was added. The CQC zone was less than 9' and the defender was taught to move away, both backwards and to the side, to increase distance. Firing was still done from below the shoulder, but two hands could be used if time permitted. The new combat zone, the intermediate zone, stretched from 9' to 45'. In this zone, the defender was expected to utilize the Weaver stance [or some modification], the flash sight picture and rapid controlled fire. The final combat zone filled the remainder of the field from 45' to 75'. This zone utilized the Weaver, full sight acquisition and controlled aimed fire. Also added during the late 80's and early 90's was shooting from various positions [seated, kneeling, prone] as well as movement drills and increased use of cover and concealment.

Initially, law enforcement officers were taught to stand in one spot, assume an isosceles position and shoot the bad guy. The reasoning was simple. It was assumed that in a surprise encounter, the officer; having to identify the threat, react, draw his weapon and RETURN fire; would be struck. Standing still, in a stable postion, was thought to give him the best opportunity to down his attacker. Also, should he be killed, wounding or killing his opponent would make it easier to identify his assailant and thereby, close the case.

The point is that law enforcement officers, and law enforcement trainers, are not foolish. They utilize techniques that work for them. Law enforcement officers have a different set of needs with regards to skill sets. Whereas the average person can and should retreat from an encounter at distances greater than 20', if at all possible; the law enforcement officer is expected to do his best to render a deadly threat harmless, or at least contained, at distances greater than that.

Today, most armed civilians do not have a pressing need for accurate, long range handgun fire. Most of their encounters will begin within 10' and culminate within 4'. For this type of defensive shooting, speed is more important than pinpoint accuracy, in most cases. Thus, CQC firearms techniques [single hand point shooting] should be mastered first. But, if time permits, accurate engagement of targets out to 15-25 yards should be practiced occassionally. You never know what skills you need until you need them.

I hope that this fleshes out Brownie's history lesson a little bit.

 

[SwampRat]

Good post Mac..Problem is like I said before, most instructors are from law enforcement or military and still teaching that long distance sighted shooting. As someone else said in here..run, stop, square up to the target, front sight press..fire, then repeat as needed..

 

[Al Lipscomb]

The original article can be found online here: http://www.defensereview.com/a-gene...nd-instructors-in-the-united-states-part-one/

It is a good read and the site has plenty of other material.


Edited to add:

Sorry my mistake. The actual source of the above was here: http://weaverstance.com/history.htm

 

[Standby]

Good post Mac..Problem is like I said before, most instructors are from law enforcement or military and still teaching that long distance sighted shooting. As someone else said in here..run, stop, square up to the target, front sight press..fire, then repeat as needed..

+1 :clap

MOVE while shooting.....keep moving and shooting!

 

[Mac45]

Movement is good, but in an extremely close encounter, there may not be time or distance to do more than throw yourself to one side or the other or back up. In the case of a relatively large open area with no cover, one might be better served going prone and opening fire, rather than running across open ground hoping that they are a better shot, on the move, than their assailant is, standing still. In a parking lot, a person, if they have room to move, may be better served simply running and ducking behind cover [such as car], rather than taking the time to draw and fire on the move. A person's tactical responses change according to distance and terrain. But, for most CCP holders, they will not have the opportunity to practice running, jumping, ducking, bobbing or shooting from behind cover simply because there are few places that teach any of these things in a live fire situation, or even allow one to practice these techniques. Paintball, airsoft, nerf and other non-lethal equipment is a good substitute for the tactical work, but the muscle memory necessary to instinctively control your weapon is absent. Law enforcement does not have to operate under these constraints and can, therefor, spend more time training their personnel to effectively counter a wider range of threats.

The point is, that you train most heavily in those techniques that are likely to be most useful to you. But, do not discount other techniques that may be of use to you someday. As I said before, you never know what you might need, be it skill or equipment, until you need it.

 

[brownie]

Movement is good, but in an extremely close encounter, there may not be time or distance to do more than throw yourself to one side or the other or back up. In the case of a relatively large open area with no cover, one might be better served going prone and opening fire, rather than running across open ground hoping that they are a better shot, on the move, than their assailant is, standing still. In a parking lot, a person, if they have room to move, may be better served simply running and ducking behind cover [such as car], rather than taking the time to draw and fire on the move. A person's tactical responses change according to distance and terrain. But, for most CCP holders, they will not have the opportunity to practice running, jumping, ducking, bobbing or shooting from behind cover simply because there are few places that teach any of these things in a live fire situation, or even allow one to practice these techniques. Paintball, airsoft, nerf and other non-lethal equipment is a good substitute for the tactical work, but the muscle memory necessary to instinctively control your weapon is absent. Law enforcement does not have to operate under these constraints and can, therefor, spend more time training their personnel to effectively counter a wider range of threats.

The point is, that you train most heavily in those techniques that are likely to be most useful to you. But, do not discount other techniques that may be of use to you someday. As I said before, you never know what you might need, be it skill or equipment, until you need it.

Very good post and thought process sir. Fits very well with post 8 and 10 I wrote here started by Standby: http://floridaconcealedcarry.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=2808

Brownie

 

[Standby]

Very good post and thought process sir. Fits very well with post 8 I wrote here started by Standby: http://floridaconcealedcarry.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=2808

Brownie

+1 :thumsup

 

[Al Lipscomb]

The modern technique of the pistol is founded on the following principles.

The Weaver Stance - The modern shooting stance used with the pistol is the Weaver Stance. The Weaver Stance is sometimes thought of as simply two-handed shooting. It is, however, a specialized form of two-handed shooting which uses isometric tension to provide recoil control and a stable and versatile shooting platform for the pistol. It allows rapid acquisition and target engagement with a powerful sidearm.

The presentation - This is the drawing technique utilized to allow the swift, consistent, and safe presentation of the pistol, which in turn allows the rapid and accurate delivery of hits on the target. It involves smoothness and a precise procedure to accomplish its goal.

The flash sight picture - Sight alignment is simply the proper alignment of the front and rear sights which enable the target to be hit. If the sights are not utilized the chances that a target will be missed increase exponentially as the range increase past touching distance. The flash sight picture provides an almost instantaneous verification of the sight's alignment prior to discharging the pistol.

The surprise break - As with the use of the sights the manipulation of the trigger is also important. The surprise break is simply the application of a smooth squeezing of the trigger but done in a highly compressed time interval. The trigger is not "jerked" or "mashed," it is pressed smoothly but very quickly.

The heavy-duty big-bore semiautomatic pistol - To terminate the threat of a human attacker requires a powerful blow. The science of wound ballistics (some firearms media "experts" to the contrary) shows us that the best way to achieve immediate incapacitation of an adversary to make the biggest diameter and deepest permanent hole as possible. While some suggest that a medium caliber (9mm/.38, both of which are actually .35") with an expanding bullet can be used successfully, expanding bullets often fail to expand leaving you with a smaller than desired or hoped for hole. Thus it is better to start off with a bullet that is closer to the diameter you'd like the small one to expand to, rather than to rely on expansion to save your bacon. "Big bore" is considered to be .40 caliber or greater. The semiautomatic pistol has been shown over the years to be the most efficient way to deliver a powerful blow in a lethal confrontation, especially when confronted with multiple attackers.

"The Pistol. Learn it well; wear it always!" - Jeff Cooper

The excitement and challenge of wide open competition was what led Jack Weaver to develop the Weaver Stance, with the sole purpose of winning Jeff Cooper's "Leatherslap" competition in Big Bear, California. In Cooper's own words, "It began in 1956 at Big Bear when I set up the first Leatherslap. As far as I know, it was the first match of its kind held anywhere in the world. It was unrestricted as to technique, as to weapon, as to caliber, as to holster, as to profession. It was a straight quick-draw match — just draw and hit a target at seven yards."

At that time everyone shot from the hip or one-handed from the shoulder, which is a loosely defined style know as "point shooting." This worked well on television, but in real life competition things are different. According to Jack, sometimes "what started out as serious business soon produced gales of laughter from the spectators as most of the shooters blazed away…" Then "with guns empty and all 12 rounds gone but the 18 inch balloons still standing, they had a problem: load one round and take aim or load six and blaze away again."

By the time the 1959 Leatherslap rolled around Jack had realized that "a pretty quick hit was better than a lightening-fast miss," and decided to bring the pistol up using both hands and actually aim it rather than simply point and shoot. Quoting Cooper again, "Jack walloped us all — and decisively — using a six inch Smith K-38. He was very quick and he did not miss. And, of course, he shot from the Weaver Stance, which was, and is, the way to go."

As the world of practical pistol shooting evolved, more complicated contests were developed and it was discovered that when speed was not quite as important as it was in a "Leatherslap," the Weaver Stance worked even better. In time, everyone began using it.

In 1982, the Weaver Stance received what may be the ultimate endorsement. Jack received a letter from James D. McKenzie, then assistant director of the FBI, which had just completed a year long survey of handgun shooting techniques.

Cont.

Interesting read

 

[brownie]

Brownie

 

[capngeo]

Moderator hat on.....
Personal attacks and accusations will not be allowed in the open forum. Take it to email, PMs or duke it out in person.




Moderator hat off

Paintball, airsoft, nerf and other non-lethal equipment is a good substitute for the tactical work, but the muscle memory necessary to instinctively control your weapon is absent.

Mac.... I am curious about the above.... I thought the POINT of airsoft training WAS to attain muscle memory when live fire was not practical.

I know personally that the Airsoft has improved my point shooting immensely. My local range does not allow holster work... My only options are either Airsoft, or drive 50 miles. When I do get to a place that allows live fire, I have found that my Airsoft training does carry through to "real" firearms.

 

[Mac45]

Geo,

Yes and no. It allows you to build reactions and first shot enhancement. However, with the exception of some of the airsoft weaponry, you are not using an accurate copy of your real weapon [weight and balance are usually different, for one thing] so you may not be honing instinctive [sub-conscious] point and shoot skills as much as you would from live fire exercises with your carry weapon. You also lack recoil in the non-guns, which means that you do not develop instinctive recoil control. And with small, relatively high powered handguns from which you are going to be shooting several rapid shots against an armed opponent, lack of skill in controlling recoil can be detrimental. Its a little like a quarterback throwing a football through a tire in his back yard. He keeps up his point passing skills, but that is only part of the skills he will need in a real game.

Now, don't get me wrong. Using non-lethal practice equipment is good. You can practice athletic tactics [such as "shoot and scoot", shooting from cover or concealment, unusual postures and positions, and even quick draw and shoot drills] and even hone your accuracy, especially your first shot accuracy. It is especially good for building "combat reflexes", pre-developed reflexive responses to surprise encounters or attacks. What is lacking is the fine control of the weapon that you can only get through rapid, live fire practice. The slow fire allowed on most ranges helps with recoil control, but it is not the same as practicing rapid fire drills. Given the option of using airsoft, or other systems, to keep my tactical skills sharp, or even to try out new ones, or letting those skills deteriorate because I couldn't find a range close enough to practice regularly [or one that would allow me to practice tactical shooting drills], I would most definitely use the airsoft. Besides, they're a lot of fun and don't leave unsightly holes in the garage walls or wounded neighbors.

 

[capngeo]

Thank you Sir.... Agreed that the recoil aspect was not considered. My range will also not allow "rapid fire" (more than one shot per second). As such, my second shot skills are not what they should be.

Before the thread gets drawn too far off topic, perhaps those of you with experience in such things, could start a thread dealing with "ordinary" people and the training difficulties they face.

 

[Mac45]

Capngeo,

I gave your suggestion some thought and decided, that a thread on the training difficulties faced by the average [I like that term better than "ordinary"] defensive firearms owner is impractical. The area to be covered is just too large.

Quickly, there are simply too many people, at too many levels of training and ability, who have too many divergent needs and desires with respect to firearms use. Brownie, Swamprat, Standby and others, who post here regularly, are continually running training courses for defensive arts; most of them highly specialized. I would suggest that if anyone has a question about specific training practices, they just ask. They will probably get several good suggestions. There is usually no one "right" answer to any of these questions.

My suggestions for people would be:

First, to identify what you want to do with a defensive handgun.
For most CCP holders, that will simply be to accurately identify a threat that requires, or justifies, a firearms response and to draw the weapon quickly and place all rounds on target, effectively. For others, they may wish to continue into advanced tactics and competition. A very few may even be involved, professionally, with the tactical deployment of firearms in real world situations.

Second, identify the skills that you will likely need to accomplish your desired goals.
For most, simply going to the range on a regular basis and practicing quick draws in front of mirror will suffice. For others, specialized training, specialized equipment, training facilities, time and money will be required.

Trying to guess what will interest people, in this regard, is extremely difficult. So, I would suggest, again, that if anyone has a question, just post it and a lively discussion will probably ensue. Remember, there are no stupid questions.

 

[SwampRat]

Good topic Mac..here's an example of what students can do..Get Private Lessons..I've got a few students who schedule 1 hour blocks of time during the week usually. I did one woman yesterday who wants to get into IDPA or competition shooting as a hobby. She has her concealed but she is a beginner, so we start at the very beginning and progress as needed. Another wants defensive pistol skills..again 1 hr blocks of time. A man and wife like to train together, again self defense, hand to hand and pistol. Most of 'em schedule once a week or every 2 weeks..Its kind of like a martial arts class where they spend an hour a week, practice what they learned for a week, we do a review the following week and move on to the next step...

Some people dont feel comfortable or are unable to attend classes on weekends or just want that 1 on 1 attention. I charge by the hour so they only take what time and money they can afford. Good part is it keeps me on my toes also as each person has different needs, wants, physical abilities and mindsets. They dont go into overload from the info given and we progress at their speed and ability to comprehend the material given. It's a win win situation for those wishing to learn who cant afford huge time blocks, out of town stays, and good sums of money to train...For the cost of a box of .45 HP ammo, they get an hour of training..I know Brownie does quite a bit of this type of training in AZ also..Keeps me busy, and the customers get what they want.

Probably should have started another thread for this topic..oh well

 

[brownie]

Keep this thought process running right here in this thread gentlemen, it's all good exchange of information :thumsup

I've got two students tomorrow [ husband and wife ] from 7-9am that will be handhold, trigger control, sight alignment in preparation for their ccw class in a few weeks at the shop. Another two on Friday, same time block and lesson plan for their ccw class as well.

Working the gun shop, I have the opportunity to put people into a gun that fits them/their needs and can then bring these new to firearms people up to speed in the basics in prep for the ccw classes we hold at the shop. Just a little side money and it's good to be able to introduce those new to firearms in the safety, care, and operation of their new firearm.

Being the first person to work with them, there are no bad habits to correct and they come up to speed very quickly. Many of them go on to take the other material I offer in my normal classes later.

Brownie