It might seem that choosing a firearms instructor is as simple as hitting the internet and selecting a class near you, but it’s not. You should have certain requirements for your instructor. After all, firearms training is a valuable skill that not everyone is qualified to teach. And even those who are fully qualified for some platforms aren’t going to be great at everything. We’ve gathered some tips for firearms instructor selection to help you along your way to becoming an educated, skilled shooter.
What class do you need?
Before you even get into the process of finding and vetting an instructor, stop and figure out exactly what class you need. Although it’s a nice idea to just go out and take whatever classes are out there, it’s wiser to make the most of your time and money by setting specific goals. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Do you need foundational skills on a certain platform, or are you moving into intermediate or advanced work?
- Are you focused on self-defense and require a class that teaches things for that skill set?
- Do you want to practice long-range shots for a precision rifle competition?
- Is hunting dangerous predators in your future?
- Is there a need to train for something truly niche such as defensive tactics at church?
Beyond those basics, you also need to consider some other factors:
- Location. How far can you afford to travel?
- Cost. It’s worth saving up for a good class, but even then there’s a limit.
- Time off work. Will the class require you to use PTO?
- Round count. How much ammunition is required, and can you afford it and find it?
- Travel. If you’re going far, you need to figure out the logistics of traveling with firearms, ammunition, and any other required gear.
- Gas or diesel if you intend to drive.
- Backup guns, because it’s not uncommon for a gun to fail in high round count classes. It’s smart to have a backup.
What should you look for in a firearms instructor?
It’s accurate to say that the teaching style and personalities of all instructors aren’t going to be compatible with all people. That said, it can be difficult to know if their style will mesh with you until you’ve taken a class from them. Word of mouth from trusted people is a good way to get an idea of an individual firearm instructor’s style. Of course, aside from that, there are other things to consider as well:
- Personal training elsewhere. What kind of training has the instructor taken themselves, and who from? How often?
- Credentials. What instruction and training certifications and credentials do they have? Are creds from respected organizations or groups that don’t really have the most impressive training and credentialing processes? (More on that later.)
- Reputation. Even if the verbal reviews don’t come from people you know, it’s wise to pay at least some attention to reviews within the industry. Although you should take these opinions with a grain of salt and always consider the source, it’s smart to listen and use that information in your decision.
- Teaching frequency. Is this a firearms instructor that’s been teaching for a while and keeps a fairly consistent schedule? Are their classes always full or does no one really show up? Note: Usually it’s a good idea to go to instructors who teach consistently. However, there are exceptions as some instructors reach retirement or throttle back their training schedule for personal reasons. In those cases, getting into that rare class is fantastic luck.
- Communication skills. You’re going to want an instructor who not only knows how to communicate but is capable of adjusting that communication style a bit as needed.
- Location. Now, it’s true that just because a specific range isn’t fancy doesn’t mean it’s a bad spot. But it’s also true a truly run-down and poorly set up class location can be a warning sign.
- Safety. Is the firearms instructor focused on safety? Do they follow the four golden rules of gun safety?
What to Avoid in a Firearms Instructor
There can be quite a few warning signs when it comes to selecting a firearms instructor, but certain problems stand out more than others. These are a few things that should give you pause when vetting an instructor:
- Safety rules are ignored in favor of looking cool or doing flashy maneuvers.
- The words “big boy rules” are said in relation to how they’re going to run the course. Sometimes it’s used tongue in cheek and at times it isn’t meant in an unsafe way, but by and large those words are a warning that safety is going to be ignored.
- Their credentials are limited to basic courses from groups such as the NRA or USCCA. Although those organizations do produce decent foundational credentialed courses, a firearms instructor should go above and beyond those basics. Examples of groups that require more of their instructors and are excellent for more advanced work include Rangemaster and the Massad Ayoob Group (MAG).
- They insist their way is the only way. Outside of the importance of safety, claiming your methods are the one and only way that works for every shooter can be a warning sign.
- They push only one shooting stance, such as only Isosceles or only Weaver. Here’s the thing: Everyone’s body shape and potential injury-related weaknesses are different. It’s absolutely possible for someone to shoot better using one stance or grip over another. Of course, that also means you should be open-minded to trying new things.
A Word on Gender
Some people are stuck on the idea that women should only train with women and men with men. If you stick to taking classes only from one gender, you’re going to miss out on all kinds of stellar learning experiences. Male and female firearms instructors have a lot to offer, so don’t refuse to take a class from someone based on gender.
It’s also important to just take what you can from a class and leave the rest. Don’t outright dismiss instruction simply because it’s new or unfamiliar, but you will find that some things work well for you while others do not. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t train at that academy or with that person, only that you need to learn to take and leave things as needed.
Who’s your favorite firearms instructor? Share your experiences in the comments. This is a great way for others to figure out who to train with.
