What is your threshold?

[Fenway]

Is this the same Pami I know

Originally Posted by Pami

In fact, if Lars tried to show me his and show me how to operate it, I would burst into tears. That's not him trying to get me to touch it, hold it, handle it.. just showing it to me made me cry. Uncontrollably. I'd go psychotic.

[Fenway]

I agree with Pami. Money might be tight but you came up with the cash to buy a gun. Now learn how to run it so that when the SHTF you will have a better chance to survive. If you simply can't right now make it a priority some time down the road when things are better financially!

Originally Posted by Pami

I strongly, STRONGLY recommend you get her signed up for a basic pistol class. Even if it's just the NRA Basic Pistol class... they go over ALL the details, and it's really directed at the "I've never touch a gun in my life" type of student, although, as I said, even the "experienced" guys learned new things.

[Pami]

Originally Posted by Fenway

Is this the same Pami I know

I know.. you'd never guess, right?

[SavageEagle]

Originally Posted by Pami

Bottom line: I know things are tight financially (trust me, we operate on a $0 budget, too, normally, and this is an expensive passion), but you have to find a way to get at least one basic pistol class in for BOTH of you.

My $0.02.

Trust me I would LOVE to sign up for a class because I know I have a lot to learn. But i run on a LESS than $0 budget. But I'm scrounging back money in a savings account for just this kinda thing. I think i have 50 bucks. LOL All joking aside, I'm not here thinking I'm better than anyone, especially my fiance, I'm not. She has the stomach to be a professional Azz-wiper(CNA) and I can't even walk into a Nursing home with out geting sick! LOL But I am an Eagle Scout with much rifle training. But I do need much pistol training and so does my girl. So if anyone would like to help train us for little to nothing that would be awesome! I do build computers and would only charge parts costs for some training. Otherwise I have nothing to offer! LOL

[Sailor]

That's just not a possibility where I would be postitioned and everything else in the house sits.

The one thing I have learned from spending time with guys who actually know and have experience on this topic is that things rarely go down like you plan.

It is tempting to plan out scenarios in our heads, but that is not realistic. You are going to have to rely on the instincts you have developed from your training.

[Shay VanVlymen]

Originally Posted by SavageEagle

techincally, I said untrained civilian. Police are WELL trained... or so they SHOULD be.

This may be a controversial thing to say, but I'll go ahead and throw it out there. Most police training is not great quality and more based on liability reduction than true officer survival.

[Shay VanVlymen]

Originally Posted by Sailor

The one thing I have learned from spending time with guys who actually know and have experience on this topic is that things rarely go down like you plan.

It is tempting to plan out scenarios in our heads, but that is not realistic. You are going to have to rely on the instincts you have developed from your training.

Very well put.

[SilentWarrior1]

Originally Posted by Shay VanVlymen

This may be a controversial thing to say, but I'll go ahead and throw it out there. Most police training is not great quality and more based on liability reduction than true officer survival.

To be honest... this isn't that far from the truth.

As a former Army Guard instructor myself, I noticed that a LOT of my students didn't know their hind end from a hole in the ground when it came to basic pistol operations, tactics, and proper employment of both. Those people that actually knew and understood half of what I tried to teach in my BASIC classes were people that were veterans of 10+ years AND those who spent their own money in personal training 2-3 times a year. You have to have time and opportunity to employ the knowledge to practical situational training.

Practice doesn't make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect.

Amateurs train until they get it right. Professionals train until they can't get it wrong.

Which would you rather be?

[Josh Smith]

Ok folks, I'm likely gonna get sniped at here, but I'll give you some thoughts I've had for a while.

Practical firearms have only been around since the 15th Century or so. After they were adopted by the militaries of the world, mostly volley fire and bayonet charges were taught - to the military.

After private citizens began getting their hands on them, I've not been able to find any reference to training them on any sort of regular basis. It seems most got their training by hunting and such.

Moving into the mid to late 19th Centuries, practical repeaters became available. Still, I can't find any reference to any formal training for the citizenry. Outside of the military and militias, the closest thing to training I've found has been shooting contests.

Serious pistoleros and such shot at posts. For example, Wild Bill Hickok would empty his Navy revolvers at fence posts or trees or whatnot every night, then clean and reload them.

Training outside of the military only seems to have become available around 1925, with widespread training not being available to private citizens (nor really desired by same) until the mid to latter half of the 20th Century.

I've really just come to the conclusion that it's nice to have, but it's not a requirement.

What's more important than training is regular practice and familiarity with your firearm. Both breed more confidence than any three day course (not trying to step on anyone's toes here.)

I believe that's what's CRITICAL.

As I said, training is nice to have, and if you want it fairly cheaply, the NRA does do defensive handgun classes and they're usually pretty close by to where you're at.

Being an Eagle Scout, you might look into Explorer Scouts as well, with the local PD or Sheriff's Dept. They will usually include handgun instruction in their curriculum.

Since I just got up, let me summarize this so as to be 100% clear on what I'm saying: Training is good. I don't believe, anymore, that it's 100% necessary, as long as you take the time to become familiar with your sidearm and devote time and money to practice. I'm talking at least 100 rounds per week here, though 50 rounds per day would be preferable (and is what I personally try to do, finances permitting.)

If you want to test your skills, find a local IDPA match. I've only run one, didn't do too bad. And, if it's true to IDPA stock form, it'll give you an idea of where you stand. Remember, we're talking stock guns and gear here, not race guns. Additionally, the scenarios are a bit more realistic.

I was talking to the owner of Bass'n'Bucks here in Wabash and he's going to try to hold an IDPA match or two this summer. I'm looking forward to it. Competition forces the adrenaline up and makes you deal with it, and control yourself in whatever situation you end up in.

I really hope this wasn't too disjointed. I quit coffee a couple years ago and I'm still not woke up yet!

NRA training in Indiana: Find A Local NRA Safety Course

Josh <><

[SavageEagle]

Originally Posted by Josh Smith

Being an Eagle Scout, you might look into Explorer Scouts as well, with the local PD or Sheriff's Dept. They will usually include handgun instruction in their curriculum.

You are right about their curriculum. Although the age ranges are somewhere around the 16-20yo range. After that the best you can hope for is assistant scout leader. Which I highly recommend anyone to do. Supporting your local Troop(s) is a great way to help shape our future!

BTW, I'm sorry for the ! please dont me! LOL