tactical handgun training

[dshimm]

I am trying to do some research on tactical handgun training.

I live in southern West Virginia, and ideally I would like to find a high quality operation relatively close by (less than 8 hour drive). Storm Mountain has been recommended, but they seem to close down for the winter, and do not offer their basic class until next May. I really hate the idea of biting the bullet (so to speak) and dragging my butt out to Thunder Ranch or Gunsite.

There seem to be a lot of places that offer tactical handgun training, but any goon with a few acres of land can call himself a tactical handgun trainer. Does anybody here know of any reputable trainers in SW Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, Tennesee or Kentucky, or western Virginia or North Carolina?

 

[nhhillbilly]

Training

Blackwater USA http://blackwaterusa.com/


In Blackwater
850 Puddin Ridge Rd.
Moyock, NC 27958


comes highly recomended as does John Shaws Middouth Institute of Self Defence Training

Mid-South Institute of Self-Defense Shooting
5582 Blythe Road
Lake Cormorant, Mississippi 38641
(662) 781-1112 FAX (662) 781-5068
GPS Coordinates: N34° 56.641', W90° 12.160'

http://www.weaponstraining.com/

 

[G-Raptor]

If you're willing to go to Tennessee, then check out Yeager and the guys at Tactical Response.

Link: http://warriormindset.com/

They also do traveling classes, so check out their schedule.

 

[DaveH2]

Pat Goodale

http://www.pgpft.com/

Pat is the real deal. If I were in the area, I would be training with him.

 

[sanchezero]

Mid south is great, however they are booked far into the future with mil/gov contracts and don't have any civvie classes scheduled anytime soon.



Stm Mtn is great, BW-USA is good, too.

One thing to do is look thru the T&T forum at Glocktalk and find schedules of all the travelling guys. Alotta them end up fairly close by: NoVA, PA, etc.

 

[Cliff]

Take a look at Comtac in Clearville, PA.

 

[tetleyb]

For where you live, as the other guy said, Blackwater Lodge is the place to go. EXCELLENT training all around.

 

[C. H. Luke]

"I live in southern West Virginia, and ideally I would like to find a high quality operation relatively close by (less than 8 hour drive)."

Can't gage how long a drive it would be for you but should strongly consider Defense Associates in Wallingford, CT. Seminars & Clinics run right into early November. Their Director, Frank Cornwall is one of a very few certified by Chuck Taylor to teach his ASAA methods in Pistol, Rifle & Shotgun. {Mr. Cornwall is one of only 18 who have achieved ASAA's "Combat Master" in Handgun} Chuck teaches there roughly twice per season.

Have taken 5, 2-3 day Seminars there in the past 5 yrs. plus a bunch of their monthly Handgun Clinics. Excellent in both training & Instructor abiliity.
Just Top Notch! Consider their course prices a bargin! {you may repeat any multi-day course for 1/2 price at any time}

Mas Ayoob is there once per season for his LFI I Course in October. {this year}

http://www.chucktaylorasaa.com/handgun.html

http://www.defenseassociates.com/asaa.htm

 

[Waitone]

Soon as I recover financially I'm off to Blackwater for pistol training.

It is strategically located waaaaay out in the sticks of eastern NC between Norfolk, VA and Fayetteville, NC. The clientel does include civvies. People I know who've attended say it is thorough, intense, and exhausting.

 

[444]

Gunsite Offsite Training at the Boone County Sheriff's Range, Lebanon, Indiana - November 7-9, 2003. Contact [email protected]

 

[Denny Hansen]

Yavapai Firearms Academy (Louis Awrbuck) was in your area several times this past year. Don't have the exact dates, but I know he'll be out that way sometime in '04.
http://www.yfainc.com/

Denny

 

[mp5man1]

You can also try Morrigan Consulting. Bill Jeans is a great instructor. I have had some training from him and really liked it.

http://www.morrigan-consulting.com/

 

[Bob F.]

dshimm: I'm between Beckley & Princeton. Only took 1 tactical class so don't really feel qualified to judge & compare, but I improved ALOT by taking Steve's class (Firearms Research & Instruction) @ BGC. They had one last weekend that fell apart due to weather but Steve came down and did the class for 1 hardcore student. Talk about individual instruction!
PM or e-mail if ya' want!

 

[MolonLabe416]

www.cumberlandtactics.com

www.randycain.com

www.rangemaster.com

If you have the time, there is no experience like Gunsite. The recommended schools above and in other posts all give quality instruction, but everyone interested in the art should take at lease one class at the place it all began. It's gorgeous to boot.

 

[Monty]

Got to second Pat Goodale

Here is a review of his Def HG I class I did a couple years back.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47107

Excellent instructor and I need to get back down and spend some more time with him. Money well spent and you don't have to travel to far, 2 hours from here in Charleston.

 

[BlkHawk73]

I'd say to just "bite the bullet" as you put it. I can personally attest to the quality training at Thunder Ranch (soon to be closing/moving and becoming School of Arms). My partner there also has attended Gunsite and LFI (Mas Ayoob) and spoke highly of them. LFI may be within 8 hrs of you. The S&W academy also has a number of classes avail.

 

[Jayman]

Let me sound off with a 3rd for Pat Goodale and a 2nd for Louis Awerbuck. They both teach in WV, so not far from where you are. (Pat maintains a facility there, Lou visits there for classes a few times a year.) Everyone who has taken training under those guys that I know has had nothing but good things to say.

I took handgun 1 & 2 from Pat Goodale, and shotgun from Lou Awerbuck. I'll be back next year for handgun 3 from Pat and carbine 1....

 

[Obiwan]

http://www.defense-training.com/

Coming to a location near you!

Or near a location near you...

Or whatever