Choosing an instructor or course

[miles71]

I know only industry partners can advertise training courses on the forum, but I want to post something for the little guy, the freelance instructors. There are many good if not great instructors who do the courses because they enjoy teaching and training people. Just because they are not working for a range doesn't mean they are not able to give high quality instruction. On the same token because someone works at a range doesn't make them a better instuctor.

I only suggest you check out the instructors background, call and talk to them, compare prices, do a little research to be sure you get the appropriate instruction. The MSP website has a list of instructors and I wish This forum would create a thread for instructors to post their info for the good of the group. Anyone? Can that happen?

I look forwards to seeing many in courses and hope you all get the best training you can. If you've taken a course you've enjoyed please post a referral and info for the instructor/course.

I hope I haven't broken any rules here,TD

 

[montyw2]

I know only industry partners can advertise training courses on the forum, but I want to post something for the little guy, the freelance instructors. There are many good if not great instructors who do the courses because they enjoy teaching and training people. Just because they are not working for a range doesn't mean they are not able to give high quality instruction. On the same token because someone works at a range doesn't make them a better instuctor.

I only suggest you check out the instructors background, call and talk to them, compare prices, do a little research to be sure you get the appropriate instruction. The MSP website has a list of instructors and I wish This forum would create a thread for instructors to post their info for the good of the group. Anyone? Can that happen?

I look forwards to seeing many in courses and hope you all get the best training you can. If you've taken a course you've enjoyed please post a referral and info for the instructor/course.

I hope I haven't broken any rules here,TD

Good idea but remember-cheap labor ain’t skilled and skilled labor ain’t cheap.
Shopping solely on price doesn’t tell you much and one should really ask “why are their prices stupid low?”

An instructor has a lot of cost and investments:
-Instructor insurance (they do HAVE instructor insurance don’t they?). I carry $1M/$2M
-Do they have a private range where you can learn movement, shoot multiple targets, do holster draw etc.
-Does the instructor take classes from other instructors? If not, how do they keep up with evolutions in drills & skill improvement?
-Are you going to get a low student:teacher ratio or will you be lost in the masses?
-We invest lots in targets, stands, paint, steel, cardboard, pasters, timers, extra ear/eye pro when you forget yours, sunscreen, bug spray, beverages, canopies, training props etc.
-Do you get a continued training improvement plan? Videos to show areas to work on? Timed drills & standards to measure future progress against?

These are just a few things to keep in mind when your only criteria is “cheapest”.

 

[miles71]

Good idea but remember-cheap labor ain’t skilled and skilled labor ain’t cheap.
Shopping solely on price doesn’t tell you much and one should really ask “why are their prices stupid low?”

An instructor has a lot of cost and investments:
-Instructor insurance (they do HAVE instructor insurance don’t they?). I carry $1M/$2M
-Do they have a private range where you can learn movement, shoot multiple targets, do holster draw etc.
-Does the instructor take classes from other instructors? If not, how do they keep up with evolutions in drills & skill improvement?
-Are you going to get a low student:teacher ratio or will you be lost in the masses?
-We invest lots in targets, stands, paint, steel, cardboard, pasters, timers, extra ear/eye pro when you forget yours, sunscreen, bug spray, beverages, canopies, training props etc.
-Do you get a continued training improvement plan? Videos to show areas to work on? Timed drills & standards to measure future progress against?

These are just a few things to keep in mind when your only criteria is “cheapest”.

I definitely did not mean to imply price is the only criteria. You make a lot of good points to consider and I agree. Of course there are some who charge as much as they can as well. It's always good to do the research.
TD

 

[ras_oscar]

I'm researching 2 courses I've found in the Sykesville/Eldersburg area. Looking for W&C 16 hour.
1. Pinnacle Training
2. Spartan firearms training

Their prices are comparable, they both have a web presence and classes available in the reasonable future. I plan to do a drive by this afternoon. Does anyone have first hand experience with either of them? MSP website only gives a search function for licensed instructors if you know their name, not companies or business offering training.

 

[eruby]

I'm researching 2 courses I've found in the Sykesville/Eldersburg area. Looking for W&C 16 hour.
1. Pinnacle Training
2. Spartan firearms training

Their prices are comparable, they both have a web presence and classes available in the reasonable future. I plan to do a drive by this afternoon. Does anyone have first hand experience with either of them? MSP website only gives a search function for licensed instructors if you know their name, not companies or business offering training.

You can search by county, and/or zip code, etc. You don't need to know a name.

You'll get a ton of names, but still have to do the leg work.

 

[clandestine]

I'm researching 2 courses I've found in the Sykesville/Eldersburg area. Looking for W&C 16 hour.
1. Pinnacle Training
2. Spartan firearms training

Their prices are comparable, they both have a web presence and classes available in the reasonable future. I plan to do a drive by this afternoon. Does anyone have first hand experience with either of them? MSP website only gives a search function for licensed instructors if you know their name, not companies or business offering training.

I have taken courses from Spartan. Good people and the classes are very well done.

 

[5cary]

I'm researching 2 courses I've found in the Sykesville/Eldersburg area. Looking for W&C 16 hour.
1. Pinnacle Training
2. Spartan firearms training

Their prices are comparable, they both have a web presence and classes available in the reasonable future. I plan to do a drive by this afternoon. Does anyone have first hand experience with either of them? MSP website only gives a search function for licensed instructors if you know their name, not companies or business offering training.

Spartan Firearms has *excellent* instructors.

 

[ras_oscar]

I did a drive by yesterday. Spartan firearms' address at:

1363 Progress Way #103
Sykesville, MD 21784

It turned out to be a post office. Am i missing something? Is there another progress way in Sykesville?

 

[eruby]

I did a drive by yesterday. Spartan firearms' address at:

1363 Progress Way #103
Sykesville, MD 21784

It turned out to be a post office. Am i missing something? Is there another progress way in Sykesville?

2020 info:

CCW Initial - 10/9 -10/2020

Spartan Firearms Training Group offers training classes. Contact us and visit our website today to find out more information.

www.spartanfirearmstraininggroup.com

This is the classroom location:​

Essential Support Services​

October 9, 2020 (Classroom Training)

2028 Liberty Road
Sykesville, MD 21784

9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Bollinger Gunsmithing​

October 10, 2020 (Live-Fire Training)

4485 Piney Creek Road
Taneytown, Maryland 21787

9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

 

[rossiski]

I was able to get into classes at Guntry in owings mills. He is adding a lot of classes and the place looks top notch. I go in two weeks. Then the app process begins.

 

[ras_oscar]

Oh, I see.

Did a drive by there yesterday also. Saw ESS on the sign at liberty road. Is that your classroom in the back yard next to Smokeys?

 

[5cary]

I did a drive by yesterday. Spartan firearms' address at:

1363 Progress Way #103
Sykesville, MD 21784

It turned out to be a post office. Am i missing something? Is there another progress way in Sykesville?

They don't have an actual store front or "office" that I know of, if that's what you're asking.

 

[clandestine]

Lots of businesses in the gun industry will list PO boxes as the address because they don't want people showing up at all hours to their home or at a business with appointment only hours.

I know this from experience.

 

[ras_oscar]

ok, so the address is their PO box. That makes sense.

 

[Masada Tactical]

Good idea but remember-cheap labor ain’t skilled and skilled labor ain’t cheap.
Shopping solely on price doesn’t tell you much and one should really ask “why are their prices stupid low?”

An instructor has a lot of cost and investments:
-Instructor insurance (they do HAVE instructor insurance don’t they?). I carry $1M/$2M
-Do they have a private range where you can learn movement, shoot multiple targets, do holster draw etc.
-Does the instructor take classes from other instructors? If not, how do they keep up with evolutions in drills & skill improvement?
-Are you going to get a low student:teacher ratio or will you be lost in the masses?
-We invest lots in targets, stands, paint, steel, cardboard, pasters, timers, extra ear/eye pro when you forget yours, sunscreen, bug spray, beverages, canopies, training props etc.
-Do you get a continued training improvement plan? Videos to show areas to work on? Timed drills & standards to measure future progress against?

These are just a few things to keep in mind when your only criteria is “cheapest”.

Agreed 100%
Our W&C classes are limited to 10 students and are taught by IDF Spec Ops.

 

[miles71]

With some of the amazingly stupid things I've seen and heard about lately I think checking into courses before taking them is getting more important. There seems to be a flood of bad information, inappropriate class sizes, and people trying to shortcut the requirements. Be careful everyone, TD