Private instructor price check

[SquirrelNuts]

I live just north of Atlanta, and a local range has a police trainer that works for them. He offers a handgun technique class that lasts two nights for $75. It is one on one and I assume it lasts for two hours each night or so, but I am not sure. Either way, I figure it runs around $20/hr. This rate seems to be a little low when compared to schools...what do you guys think?

I am a good shot, but I have never had any formal firearms training besides the Boy Scouts. I checked out the Gunsite website, and I cannot afford the $1,000+ per class out of state on my income as a youth minister/student. Translation=I am poor, and I spend all my money on guns. I can, however, afford spending a few hunred or less on training every now and then.

-SquirrelNuts

 

[pax]

The school near me charges $225 for a two-day, 18-hour shooting course.

When the travelling names come to town, the courses run around $350 for a weekend.

Ayoob's LFI courses here cost $700 for 40 hours.

pax

If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability. -- Henry Ford

 

[SquirrelNuts]

I knew the Ayoob classes were very 'spencive. I guess they are actually cheap compared to some places.

I was also considering taking the NRA classes. They seem to range greatly in prices from $50 to $150 or so for the SAME course.

-SquirrelNuts

 

[Hawkeye755]

Something else you can do is check out Front sight. Their calsses are about $1000 or so, but if you do a search on eBAy you can find certificates for the 4 day classes for around $300-400. You would also have to look at airfare from where you are to Nevada too, unless you live close enough to drive.

 

[pax]

SN,

I haven't taken the Ayoob course(s) yet, but I'm going to do so just as soon as I can scrape together enough money to do so. Might be another year or so as husband and I have five boys to feed -- some of whom are teenagers. The grocery budget only stretches so far.

Nevertheless, LFI-1 is high on the priority list because Ayoob offers his services as an expert witness free of charge to any LFI grad who gets involved in a deadly force encounter and needs help in court. Given that expert witnesses of that caliber (a little gun humor there) cost an arm and a leg, that's a pretty good bit of insurance over and above the value of the class.

Keep shopping around -- you'll find a course and school that's right for you. Also (here's some free advice worth every penny you paid for it), if you are broke, ask about barter possibilities. You might find someone who is willing to work with you to get you the training you need even if you haven't got the ready cash.

pax

I've worked my way up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty. -- Groucho Marx

 

[treeprof]

SN - That's comparable to (a bit cheaper than) what an instructor from the NE Academy charges. I may be familiar with the guy you're referring to in Marrietta. If so, he's quite capable and trains with the big names, as is true for the one I've trained with locally. These guys are good sources of info on practical matters related to CCW as well.

 

[El Tejon]

Second what pax said. I've been to more than several skuls. LFI-1 is the best bang for the buck around.

SN, if you don't have the Benjamins to walk the earf yet, do not worry. It's really all about desire--desire to learn. If you hit the clubs and the competitions you will find other like-minded souls, networking (look El Tejon made a computer pun). It's all about creating a culture of learning and education so that knowledge becomes "cool", not the latest neon/xeon laser phaser.

 

[MolonLabe416]

Check out www.randycain.com

Randy is an outstanding instructor and conducts classes in several areas not too distant from you.

If you can swing a class in Lakeland (sometimes listed as Kathleen) Florida, do it. A lot or regulars take classes there and the classes are always great fun and an incredible learning experience.

 

[Al Thompson]

Sometimes the local folks can be quite good. We have a cadre of former SCHP firearms instructors who run an academy here. Won't have the breadth and scope of a big name instructor, but great for getting the basics down. If I were in the area, I''d jump on it. Especially if it's the same guy Treeprof knows.

 

[SquirrelNuts]

treeprof,

He does this at Panell's Firearms on Canton Road (Highway 5). It is just inside the Cherokee County like, about a mile from Cobb County. This guy is the firearms instructor for Cherokee County police/sherriffs, and also does a few smaller organizations. I have talked to him several times, and he is very intelligent and capable.

-SquirrelNuts

 

[geekWithA.45]

Another Boy Scout trained shooter! Yay!

I too started with the rifle/shotgun merit badge. A friend taught me the rudiments of pistol. Quite some time later, I took the instructor's advice and skipped NRA basic pistol, going straight to the advanced combat shooting at the local range, which was a 12 hr course for $65.

I'd have happily paid twice that. The course was a little light on tactics and concealed carry issues, (being NJ and all) but focused heavily on pistol proficiency, in terms of balancing power, speed and accuracy.

Moral of the story: bargains can indeed be had, and dollar paid doesn't necessarily indicate value recieved.

 

[treeprof]

Different guy, but sounds like you should do it.

 

[Matthew Temkin]

I have met quite a few outstanding instructors who teach part time at local gun clubs.
This guy can probably teach you more than you will ever need, so do not be put off by the low/resonable price tag.
High fees and travel expenses do not always guarantee a good "product".

 

[cool45auto]

SquirrelNuts

I live north of Atlanta, too. Is there an email or some way to get in touch with that police trainer? Since you're not required to undergo any firearms training to get a permit I haven't had any formal training, just the knowledge my parents passed to me. I'd like to check it out.

 

[SquirrelNuts]

Here is the info for the store, they can hook you up:

Pannell's Firearms & Range Inc
10102 Main St, Woodstock, GA
Phone: (770) 928-9132

http://www.pannellsfirearms.com/
looks like the price is now $80.00

-SquirrelNuts

 

[cool45auto]

Thanks