Firearms training and clubs?

[MudFace]

Hi guys. I live in South Bay, LA and am looking for good training schools and clubs nearby. I'm picking up my first piece soon 9mm Springfield XD. I will move up to a .45 soon, 1911 or ??? just depends on my use. I really like the run and gun competition style. I also want to learn to be a proficient marksman and trained for home defense. I got a lot to learn. Thank you guys.

[ssc]

Hi Mudface,
A search of this forum will reveal quite a bit of info. We have a thread on ranges and IPSC. You are welcome to come out and shoot IPSC on Sat in Norco. See the previous thread. We shoot 6 stages and have run and gun. I do not know much about the southbay. I think there is an indoor range or two--lax range or southbay range. I prefer to not shoot at any indoor range. I think we even had a thread on training. I will on occasion host an intro to shooting type of get together at the Norco range. We try to introduce you to safety, basic marksmanship, some tactical applications and SAFETY. We will bring out a number of guns for you to try and explain the difference. We also introduce the rules of IPSC and sometimes have new shooters shot a stage and watch world class shooters run a stage. See Gone to surfs write up. As to training in the southbay, I have no info. I am aware of the FTA group and they seem to have a good rep. A google search will reveal many trainers. Some of the big names are Gunsite, Thunder Ranch-Clint and many private trainers. Maybe some day we will have a wheeling and shooting trip. Just as an aside, I never see moving to a .45 as a move up, but that is just me and I own just a few .45's

If I can help, or you want to see or try a few pistols, let me know. I seem to spend 50% of my time in Havasu, so if you make it there, lots of fun shooting including all the evil black guns.

Regards, Steve

[MudFace]

Hi Mudface,
A search of this forum will reveal quite a bit of info. We have a thread on ranges and IPSC. You are welcome to come out and shoot IPSC on Sat in Norco. See the previous thread. We shoot 6 stages and have run and gun. I do not know much about the southbay. I think there is an indoor range or two--lax range or southbay range. I prefer to not shoot at any indoor range. I think we even had a thread on training. I will on occasion host an intro to shooting type of get together at the Norco range. We try to introduce you to safety, basic marksmanship, some tactical applications and SAFETY. We will bring out a number of guns for you to try and explain the difference. We also introduce the rules of IPSC and sometimes have new shooters shot a stage and watch world class shooters run a stage. See Gone to surfs write up. As to training in the southbay, I have no info. I am aware of the FTA group and they seem to have a good rep. A google search will reveal many trainers. Some of the big names are Gunsite, Thunder Ranch-Clint and many private trainers. Maybe some day we will have a wheeling and shooting trip. Just as an aside, I never see moving to a .45 as a move up, but that is just me and I own just a few .45's

If I can help, or you want to see or try a few pistols, let me know. I seem to spend 50% of my time in Havasu, so if you make it there, lots of fun shooting including all the evil black guns.

Regards, Steve

Thanks Steve. Great reply. I will definitely check out the Norco event. Can you keep me posted when you do the Intro type class? Wheelin and shooting are my two new addictions. I LOVE it! Now I got a great reason to visit Havasu. It will be my first time. I will search the forum for more info and please feel free to direct me to any other sources you suggest. Thanks again.

Regards, Dan

[DennisDawg]

Not close but well worth the drive, Greg Block’s classes are very good: http://www.firearmstraining.com/

The web site is kind of crappy, but the classes are good. I was training by the Navy but I took my wife up for these classes (took them also for giggles) and they focus on use and then self defense. You fire a lot of rounds!! The instructor to student ratio ensures success, even I learned a few things, cool!

The classed are up in Angeles National Forest.

[sdnative]

Just as an aside, I never see moving to a .45 as a move up, but that is just me and I own just a few .45's

Why is that? I am considering the .45 auto platform vs. the 9mm. Should I reconsider the 9?

[ssc]

Hi Eric,
I think caliber wars among service calibers are a waste of time. The .45 is just another choice, as is the 9mm. I do not see it as a step "up." There are some minor differences that can make one lean more to one caliber as opposed to another, but thinking one is more powerfull or a step up is, in my opinion, much ado about nothing. Handguns are underpowered, but we carry them because it is hard to conceal a rifle. Handguns drill holes and it is more important to drill holes in vital organs and repeat as necessary until the threat decides to stop or is unable to continue. In terms of handguns for life on the line thinking, reliability is the most important issue. Once you decide on a platform that works for your needs, pick a bullet with a good record and practice, train and then practice some more. Gun handling skills are perisable. Also, as you are practicing, you will be able to access the reliability of your gun and the load. You may have to change loads to get the right outcome. Caliber is the least of my concerns. ( so long as it is a service caliber.) I would rather go through a door with someone who has a reliable old gun shooting FMJ who practices weekly with 200 rounds vs a guy with a new wiz bang gun and super duper loads who shoots 50 rounds a year. There are no magic bullets.

Hence, nothing wrong with getting a .45 or a 40 or 357 or 9mm. Sometimes the caliber dictates the platform choice ( or visa versa) and just consider the pros and cons. Whatever you get, make sure it is reliable with your load and make sure you become competent with it. This means being able to shoot it accurately under stress both stronghand and weakhand and being able to get it into action quickly. Practice reloads and being able to shoot from different positions. Everyone needs to find what works for them. For me, based on my situations, my training, my study etc, I wanted a platform with the following attributes-which dictated the caliber:
1. Reliability--for ccw. It better run wet, dry and/or dirty with lint, as well as weakhand and stronghand
2. Point and shoot--because under stress you might not get the perfect grip
3. lightweight --because if it feels like an anchor, you wont carry it
4. the less sharp edges, the better--so I don't rip clothes or cut myself
5. minimal items to snag--It can slow down your draw or cause you to fumble your gun
6. hi capacity--very important to me as most of my situations involved multple dirtbags. I know of many people who have said they wished they had more bullets and never heard anyone say they wish they had less. This from people who were there.
7. The ability to penetrate hard objects--my problems have been around vehicles.
8. The ability to shoot accurately and quickly

Hence, my requirements for a platform dictated my gun and caliber. I will PM my cell. There is more, but it is easyer to chat. Give me a call.

Regards, Steve

[ssc]

This is bringing back an old thread, but I was very fortunate to get to meet Dan, (mudface) in person today. Dan has stayed in touch and came out to Norco today to shoot some IPSC. It was a great day and Dan showed he was very accurate and safety conscious. It is always a joy for me to meet fellow shooters and watch them enjoy themselves. Dan arrived with ten fingers and left with all ten, so a safe day for sure. It was nice to see a well set up FJ in the parking area. I hope Dan comes out to shoot with us more often. I also hope we showed him a good and exciting day with safety first, but lots of good natured ribbing. I would again invite anyone to come out and give it a shot. (pun intended) Here are a few pics.

Cheers, Steve

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[sdnative]

I had forgotten about this thread. Good stuff here. Steve, I need to come visit you sometime.

I ended up getting the .45 and have been practicing as much as possible - shot placement, strong hand, weak hand, both hands, rapid shots maintaining accuracy, dry firing, etc, etc. Have to say this is getting expensive though. I've been saving brass and need to start reloading. I picked up a bunch of UMC at a great price and have been working through that.

[ssc]

Sounds like the 30 is getting a workout. Come up and shoot a match. When you are ready to start reloading, I can give you some names and contacts in order to purchase products at a lower price. Save your brass. Your best bet for a good reloading machine will be Dillion Precision. If you want, I have a machine and would glad to show you how to reload. I do not reload anymore, because I have a Willoughby 1000. But that is another story. When we going wheeling again? Seems like it is time for a Big Bear run.

Cheers, Steve

[MudFace]

Thx again Steve. IPSC was good stuff. If anyone on here is tired of the indoor range, get out to Norco. Steve, you paparazzi. When did you take all those pics of me?