Maksim 1,504 Posted June 5, 2009 Here is a question that always popped into my head. With all of the hoping for CCW, most states require formal training for one, or at least should. In NJ, you dont need to show any proof of training to receive your Firearms ID card, so how did you learn to shoot? Moreso, who went out and received formal training from the likes of Anthony (GunforHire) or Mitch(High Calibre Firearms Training). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djg0770 481 Posted June 5, 2009 Here is a question that always popped into my head. With all of the hoping for CCW, most states require formal training for one, or at least should. In NJ, you dont need to show any proof of training to receive your Firearms ID card, so how did you learn to shoot? Moreso, who went out and received formal training from the likes of Anthony (GunforHire) or Mitch(High Calibre Firearms Training). Informal lesson 15 yrs ago from my cousin A little instruction from the RSO at TBH otherwise, self taught. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJChiroDoc 0 Posted June 5, 2009 I got formal training form Anthony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lublin 3 Posted June 5, 2009 I was taught the basics by father and older brother. I took a hunter education course in 1998. The rest was self-taught. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tgz13 0 Posted June 5, 2009 Honestly.. I watched a crap load of youtube videos, and bought snap caps. I do plan to get some kind of instruction now though, just to see what bad habits I have been forming before I get to stuck in my ways. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kenw 293 Posted June 5, 2009 My father in law was an NRA instructor and competitive shooter. He taught the whole family how to shoot, and once he retired to FL, it was considered "required family time" to go to the range with him at least once a day whenever we visited. K Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJ-Tom 4 Posted June 5, 2009 Learned the basics from my father and uncles, but was coached and taught trap shooting at New Jersey Clay Target Club many years ago. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted June 5, 2009 Self taught through a combination of wikipedia, paper literature, and youtube... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maksim 1,504 Posted June 5, 2009 Self taught through a combination of wikipedia, paper literature, and youtube... wiki? wow. For me, it was my brother, and just little things picked up from everyone over the years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony357 386 Posted June 5, 2009 from my father and older brother at a young age to nj hunting courses to being a member of 44th infantry division, dcm fort dix nj. 1989-1994. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbk 188 Posted June 5, 2009 Never had seen any firearm in person until my Army days. Formal training for AR's and other US weapons (SAW, M203's, etc) during basic, basic armory duties during brief S4 stint, and got to do other somewhat informal training for other US systems (M19, M2, M24). Had weapon quals and training quarterly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbtrout 141 Posted June 6, 2009 Taught the basics as a kid and then recieved some in depth training in the Corps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chad 3 Posted June 6, 2009 Regretfully self taught. I should have taken some classes, but oh well. Applied for my FID and PP's got them in about 3 weeks (years ago) and purchased a .45 smith, went to SS and shot it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpecialK 193 Posted June 6, 2009 I have only been shooting handguns for 7 months. I had previous rifle training from the military, but had never shot a handgun until last November when I bought my first one. I did take a basic pistol class since I had been out of the military for a while it was required for my CCW, but this was after I taught myself how to shoot center mass with my handgun. I fired a total of 40 rounds that day and learned some interesting stuff as well. The class was mostly a joke though. Everyone passed with no problem at all. Having a requirement for the sake of having a required class and then saying "well that fixes that, we are all safe now" is just silly to me. Why not use all this effort to educate people instead? Put it out there that once they are allowed to carry a gun they are held responsible for who they shoot so make sure to follow rule number 4! I don't think the class should be mandatory. The right to bear arms is a right not a privileged as of now. If we want people to have to prove how good they are before they carry we need to update the Constitution. Luckily the framers put a way to do this in it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbtrout 141 Posted June 6, 2009 Regretfully self taught. I should have taken some classes, but oh well. Applied for my FID and PP's got them in about 3 weeks (years ago) and purchased a .45 smith, went to SS and shot it. Why regretfully, are you that bad of shot? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chad 3 Posted June 6, 2009 haha no, I think I have done pretty good for myself so far. I have 18" Groups @ 7 Yards!!! I just wish I was "schooled" instead of learning from my mistakes. It would have saved me a lot of ammo and headaches! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbtrout 141 Posted June 6, 2009 Making mistakes and learning from them makes for some quality trigger time. it is like building your own deck. A challenge to be sure but once overcome a feeling of great satisfaction. As long as you do not shoot your foot with the pistol or nail gun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chad 3 Posted June 6, 2009 good point, very true! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The_Matrix 105 Posted June 6, 2009 First, Junior ROTC, then ROTC, then Federal Law Enforcement Academy. I'm over trained. I shoot a lot on taxpayers' money. Thanks guys. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larain60 1 Posted June 6, 2009 I was self taught. Had firearms for about 20 years. Started formal training about 2 years ago and never realized I didnt know shit until I did. Take an 8 hour defensive handgun course with a quality trainer and youll see what I mean. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simmons 1 Posted June 6, 2009 Self taught for the first year. Then a session or two with a retired state trooper to fix all the bad habbits that developed over the year. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blackfox 1 Posted June 6, 2009 I grew up in a farm; I was shooting before I could walk. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gunforhire 826 Posted June 7, 2009 I started shooting with some friends almost thirty years ago. No formal training and no direction. Purchased all the wrong guns and developed all the bad habits. Fast forward two years later and I took some informal classes. Started to learn the proper way and caught the bug for hitting where I aimed. Took all the NRA Certificate courses, started to compete in Slow Fire, PPC, and Action Pistol (before IPSC and IDPA). Still not happy so I went to some advanced schools. Then I decided to become an NRA Instructor about 17 years ago and took all of those classes. All of a sudden I was informally teaching people every chance I could. Three years ago I became an NRA Training Counselor (instructor trainer) and two years ago I "bit the bullet" LOL and moved out of the shack and into the 6,000 sq. ft. I am in now. Thanks to people like you and my exceptionally high standards we are becoming "the" school in north east NJ. What's next? Stay tuned. Anthony Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickySantoro 211 Posted June 13, 2009 Prior to the Army at age 22 in 1968 I had fired 1 round from a .22 rifle so I didn't have any bad habits to break. As an 11b I got a lot of practice in the next two years with a rifle among others but left the Army having never fired a .45 more than those few rounds in AIT. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mauser88 0 Posted June 15, 2009 Self taught. Started in 1973. One of my better shots. 200 yards with my .69 grain HPBT reload with a 24" Varmit AR. Nailed it on my third shot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chad 3 Posted June 15, 2009 Nice shootin' mauser...but I cannot say I'm supprised at all with you making that shot! lol I would love to attempt that, how was that attached on your target? How did you find it after the shot? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbtrout 141 Posted June 16, 2009 Wait, Mauser I think I see powder burns on there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cylinder Head 22 Posted July 17, 2009 I started off teaching myself, realized that my accuracy was actually degrading as I was forming bad habits, and called GunForHire, they taught me how to shoot properly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tinyboy 1 Posted July 17, 2009 I was taught by a friend who was in the Air Force and had firearms experience I would defintiely take formal training, I can't hit a bullet with the side of a barn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cylinder Head 22 Posted July 17, 2009 I was taught by a friend who was in the Air Force and had firearms experience I would defintiely take formal training, I can't hit a bullet with the side of a barn Those guys are allowed to have firearms? Is it to shoot the geese off the runway? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites