Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
TheWombat

GFH Step 2 Pistol Course (and first steps) Review

Recommended Posts

In November MrsWombat and I attended a Gun For Hire (GFH) Step 2 pistol course. This is a non-NRA class which was held at the Cedar Grove Essex County College Police Academy. The range is fantastic and well worth going on a course in order to see!

 

The standard GFH Step 2 course is typically expected to be a 1:1 or up to a total of 4 students and has the following requirements "You will need a strong side holster, modern firearm, three magazines or speed loaders, 200 rounds of factory ammo, and eye and ear protection. Knee pads and cover garment are optional."

 

The course description mentions that the course will cover:

  • Strong Hand Shooting
  • Weak Hand Shooting
  • Strong Side Cover
  • Weak Side Cover
  • Reloading - Stress and Rapid
  • Controlled Groups
  • Shooting Over Cover
  • Shooting Under Cover
  • Holster or Concealment Draw
  • & More....

For our specific Step 2 course however GFH were offering a significantly discounted course with more students (~8). We still covered the majority of the above items, such as shooting from cover (strong and weak side), moving and shooting, dot drills, holster drawing, controlled groups, reloading. In total we shot around 75 rounds so with the additional students we probably didn't cover all the exercises in as much detail as a 1:1 or smaller group training would have. I was actually surprised at how few rounds it was when I got home and had to recount since it felt like far more.

 

Shooting from around cover, both strong and weak side takes some practice, and has made me think more about how we would react on a home invasion for example. With the set up in the range the cover can be moved around to change the distance and sideways offset to the targets.

 

It was overall a great training day, we both enjoyed it and MrsWombat outshot me when the pressure was on. Having Anthony shout 'threat', and then having to draw and fire without taking a long pause to aim seems to make a difference! The Step 2 course has given me some very practical and useful drills to try at our normal range and to try at home with our Airsoft setup.

 

 

note: We also attended the NRA Step 1 Class that was held in the morning as a refresher since we're fairly new to firearms. I've previously attended an NRA Basic Pistol which I believe is a more thorough introduction for a new shooter.

 

Overall Step 2 is recommended!

 

TheWombat

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for the review. I had taken NRA First Steps Pistol through GFH about a year ago and was thinking about taking Step 2 over the summer. Your review not only made up my mind about taking the course but also has me thinking about getting an airsoft gun for practicing at home.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd also suggest chatting to Anthony at GunForHire and see whether you should just jump into Urban Pistol 1/2 rather than Pistol Step 2.

 

Both options are valid, depends on what you are after.

 

Airsoft is a very useful training tool based on my own experience

 

hth

 

TheWombat

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
Sign in to follow this  

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.



  • olight.jpg

    Use Promo Code "NJGF10" for 10% Off Regular Items

  • Supporting Vendors

  • Latest Topics

  • Similar Content

    • By Mr.Stu
      I have been asked to run a class to prepare people for carrying a defensive firearm by my home range, Phillipsburg Pistol club.
      It will be held on August 6th, from noon until approx. 4pm.
      We will cover safe use of a holster and a number of defensive shooting techniques.
      The class will finish with running each student through HQC1 and a certificate will be provided for those that achieve a passing score.
      It is open to all, but members of Phillipsburg Pistol Club will have spots reserved for them.
      Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holster-use-and-defensive-shooting-techniques-registration-675278625547
    • By ESB
      Going to do a few posts on at home training including what you need, how to do it safely and cover some drills.  From basic to some more advanced stuff.  Really the importance is to focus on perfecting the basics and make it become second nature.  It's important to start slowly, fix any mistakes, and build proper muscle memory.  Avoid getting sloppy or lazy and developing training scars. 
      Practice does not make perfect.  Practice makes permanent.  Only perfect practice makes perfect.  
      I like to spend about 20 minutes a few days a week.  5 minutes for setup and clean up, and 15 minutes for practice.  That's all that's really needed.  Make sure you have a goal in mind on what you want to focus on.  This will prevent you from getting sloppy and getting training scars, and will help you stay interested by allowing you to constantly improve.  
       
      SAFETY:
      Setup a safe area where you will not be interrupted.  Place your targets in the safest position in case of an accidental misfire.  
      Immediately check and make your gun clear.  Do the same with the magazines you will be practicing with (recommend 2 empty magazines).  
      Retrieve all of the items you might need for this training.  You don't want to have to go back into the safe or storage where your live guns and ammo are once you start practicing.  
      Store and lock up all live ammunition away from where you will be doing the training for the entire duration of the training.  If you can't lock it up, it should be in a separate room where you will not go until your training session is totally finished and you are putting everything away.  
      Every time you pick up the gun, check that it is clear.  Even though you know its clear, this creates the mindset to always check the status of a gun when you pick it up.  
      When you are done training, you are done.  Don't go back and do one more thing after you start putting things away.  This is when accidents happen.  
       
       
       
       
    • By Iggyort
      I am looking to gauge the intrest in holding an " Introduction to Smallbore F Class " Clinic in 2020. The Clinic would be held in either Pa or NJ and would cover the following material:
      What is Smallbore F Class Rifle
      Optics
      Bipod/ Rest
      Ammunition
      Targets
      Basic Wind Reading
      Course of Fire
       
      The Clinic would be taught by experienced SB F Class Competitors

    • By TacticalTrainingCenter
      To promote proper firearm use and gun safety, we have our Youth Firearms Academies. These week long tactical training and safety class seek to teach your child practices for safe firearms handling, operation, and marksmanship.
      These courses are available to teens aged 13-17. With a wide array of available firearms, your teen will learn the best practices for handguns, rifles, shotguns, and even muzzle loaded firearms.
      All academy classes run Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
      Basic Academy Dates:
      June 24th-28th
      July 22nd-26th

      Advanced Academy Dates:
      July 8th-12th
      August 5th-9th
       
      Learn More and Register Today
    • By Blank
      Costa's Final NJ Training session. We are taking it to another state after this.
      There are a couple slots left...https://costaludus.com/courses/carbine-elements-theory-1-cet1/

  • Posts

×
×
  • Create New...