In the last 5 to ten years, the popularity of firearms has gotten so great that all kinds of businesses have opened 'around" them. When I got my first gun, there was no one to train you. back in the late 60's and permit in the 1972.
My uncles were all ex-soldiers, in all 4 out of 5 branches. One was a pretty good gunsmith. But there was not such an emphasis on the particulars of shooting. I learned from my dad, "who served in 2 armies, including the Air force here in the US, and the Greek army where his dad had left the states to go back to fight in. They all were hunters except my father, I can't help but feel, "and don't take this the wrong way" that it has become more of a "money making thing" than something that the normal guy who carries for self-defense, needs. I can see it if you shoot competitively or just enjoy it as a vacation with a bunch of likeminded friends. But it seems like sometimes people are convinced that they need more training than the secret service. Having been doing this, "shooting", mainly pistols, many things that I read are over the top for the average guy who somehow is being told he should take this class also. If you work in law enforcement like "Swat" you may, but even special ops don't take some of the courses offered. And so much of it is just common sense, that it sometimes makes me ask myself if some folks have talked themselves into thinking they need this .
I always listen to someone who shows me he can do things that I cannot. But have seen too many so called instructors who talk a good game, but couldn't shoot worth a darn. I shoot to stay alive and also enjoy the sport, not the other way around, I don't live to shoot, But that's just me. When I speak to retired Marine snipers, who did this as a career and taught it in the Marines, they make it very simple. I think that when you over think something, "no matter what it is", you make it more complicated than it needs to be. And fortunately I, just have good eye hand coordination, that is something you can't teach. I have close friends who just can't hit anything, even after sitting and explaining to them what they were doing wrong, and others who "like my wife" picked up my 45 and was able to put all 10 rounds on the paper at 25 feet. She also is good at any eye hand sport or work. I believe anyone can be taught to be better if they "want" to. Many men just refuse to take responsibility for anything that they just don't do well. Like sports for instance, "I have a cramp, this ball is too smooth etc. Please don't take it the wrong way, if you choose to spend your time and money on this advanced training and I spend mine on something else, that's our right "for now", under our current administration, but the necessity of engaging in any sport or interest is entirely up to the individual as to how far the wish to take it, and what they really need vs want. I also think that everyone should have as much time as necessary to learn the basic skills. And if it's your favorite thing to do by all means pursue it, it's just the attitude that you have to learn this method, it's better than what you use, that makes me uncomfortable. I don't care what school you went to, can you hold your own when you are confronted by several armed men who mean you harm, or did all the training courses go out the window? By the way, I usually only dry fire my own weapons, upon reassembly, to make sure the firing pin works as it should. I use a #2 or 3 pencil with a new eraser head on it, and if it flies out of the barrel, I know everything is where it is supposed to be. I have been doing that for 30 years when I read it some ware. and it is a great way to make sure your gun is more than likely going to fire.
Education can never hurt, but just how much do you need vs practice.I agree that punching holes in paper from a seated or standing position, is for the most part a waste of time and money, and being able to simulate a real world situation is far better.Unfortunatlly there arent too many places in cities that you can do the right drills.