gxr66 0 Posted March 7, 2012 Who would you recommend more for a first introductory course in pistol use/handling? New Jersey Firearms Academy or GunForHIre? I am a “newbie” and have only fired a .22 and an M16 when I was in the military over 25 years ago. I really would like to start off right. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cemeterys Gun Blob 165 Posted March 7, 2012 I used NJ Firearms Academy back in '05 and was very happy. I have no experience with GunForHire, but I have heard good things. Might come down to pricing and class availability. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tj462nj 32 Posted March 7, 2012 Gun for Hire.............hands down 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonny.montana 48 Posted March 7, 2012 Gun for hire... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hd2000fxdl 422 Posted March 7, 2012 I'll make it 3 for GFH... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
67gtonut 847 Posted March 7, 2012 Make it 4 Anthony runs a first class operation Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,878 Posted March 7, 2012 GFH is more expensive, however they have their own facility and dedicated training staff. I'd go with them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgstinner 11 Posted March 7, 2012 Add another vote for GFH. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gun Guy in NJ 10 Posted March 7, 2012 Gun for Hire +100 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt6669 71 Posted March 7, 2012 Gun for Hire without a doubt. I just confronted Anthony with a problem my friend has who is terrified of guns and he and I are going to work together to try and handle this. He just continues to help out the community. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djg0770 481 Posted March 7, 2012 Why don't you go and drop in on Anthony at Gun for Hire and talk to him or his guys before you book a class? Kick the tires of both places and see what you like. I know what your reception at GFH will be, I have no idea what your reception at NJFA will be. +1 GFH Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maksim 1,504 Posted March 7, 2012 Gun4Hire. Not the cheapest, but the best option for people who value choice and convenience. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikos 31 Posted March 7, 2012 Since nobody else is mentioning it -- Gun for Hire. They even cool caps for sale. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy 44 Posted March 8, 2012 GFH , definitely. I don't know what the other places charge , but I find their prices more than fair considering the amount of individual attention you get from the instructors and the owner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aguilar64 9 Posted March 8, 2012 Spoke to Anthony at RTSP and he was a very amicable guy, I'm pretty sure just like the above posters mentioned, his school provides excellent training. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caine 147 Posted March 8, 2012 Shortly after getting my first handguns, the wife and I took a private First Steps Pistol class with Anthony from GFH. It was money very well spent! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheWombat 67 Posted March 8, 2012 Who would you recommend more for a first introductory course in pistol use/handling? New Jersey Firearms Academy or GunForHIre? I am a “newbie” and have only fired a .22 and an M16 when I was in the military over 25 years ago. I really would like to start off right. I took my NRA basic pistol at NJ Firearms Academy last year and it was NOT a positive experience. There were two main issues: 1. Latief (instructor) leaving mid morning (unsure why) and leaving his student instructors to finish the course. 2. The indoor range we used was awful, claustrophobic and just not a nice environment. He did apologize and offer a free tuition follow up, however the range was bad enough we declined. I've since undertaken quite a few Gun For Hire courses and enjoyed them all. That's just my experience, perhaps I was just unlucky. TheWombat Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Glock guy 1,127 Posted March 8, 2012 Oh I don't know, maybe just to be different, I was going to say: GUN FOR HIRE! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gxr66 0 Posted March 9, 2012 Thanks for the feedback folks! Well....GFH it is. First steps pistol-I'm going to book right now for my spouse and myself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gunforhire 826 Posted March 14, 2012 Thank you all for the kind words! (we aim to please) how tacky is that! LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigHayden 77 Posted March 14, 2012 Thank you all for the kind words! (we aim to please) how tacky is that! LOL Glad to have you back Anthony! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CageFighter 236 Posted March 15, 2012 Gun for Hire.............hands down ditto! I warn you of ur new GFH family once u enter the building! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keithco88 3 Posted March 16, 2012 I'm probably gonna get yelled at, but I've taken two courses at the Heritage Guild in Easton and they've both been pretty excellent. Matt Vollers was the instructor I had for both NRA Basic Pistol and the Heritage Defensive Pistol class. I will say that the agenda online for the GFH step 2 pistol class looks much more aggressive than I had at Heritage, and my understanding is Anthony also does a good job of keeping class sizes small. Both my Heritage classes had 8 people in them. I will be trying a GFH class in the near future, but just wanted to say that I'd had positive experiences with the Heritage Guild classes to this point. EDIT: the Easton facility is AWESOME! The indoor range they use for the public is right now used for the classroom range. In the next few months they'll be opening two tactical ranges with moving targets for their more advanced courses. No pictures or anything, but Matt seems really excited about it and based on my positive experience thus far I'll probably try one of their tactical courses as well as one of Anthony's GFH courses (targeting the low-light pistol course for some practical experience!) and will write up a review once I complete...but probably won't be done with both until this fall. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BullzeyeNJ 104 Posted March 16, 2012 I've never taken a Gun for Hire class but have seen a couple in progress while shooting at the Bullet Hole. As I was loading up magazines for my next strings of fire I would eavesdrop and look over at the instruction that Anthony was giving. From an experienced shooters perspective, the instructor for the students was excellent. Shooting problems were addressed on an individual basis and the correction made improvements immediately when followed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adam 6 Posted March 19, 2012 It's all a matter of what your comfortable with. I personally use GappNJ, but that's me. Took my CCW classes there, and now have signed up for two more and will a Third when the funds come around. In most cases, anyone that attends a class and is a loyal customer, will say that the school they attend is the best. It's all a matter of personal choice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racer67 0 Posted March 20, 2012 In addition to the excellent established schools mentioned, also consider the NRA Basic Pistol classes given at NJ gun clubs that are local to you. Because they are staffed by volunteer (not paid) NRA Certified Instructors, the instructor to student ratio is typically higher and the registration cost is usually lower (since the sponsoring club is not looking to make a profit on the class). I instruct at Shongum Sportsmen's Association in the Hackettstown area. The all inclusive fee including lunch, use of 20 handguns, ammo, etc. for non-members is only $150. More information on the April 14 and 21 class is available at http://shongum.org/trainingprograms.html. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gun Guy in NJ 10 Posted March 21, 2012 you can find NRA Basic and FIRST shot courses here - http://nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsdbb 0 Posted March 30, 2012 I'm probably gonna get yelled at, but I've taken two courses at the Heritage Guild in Easton and they've both been pretty excellent. Matt Vollers was the instructor I had for both NRA Basic Pistol and the Heritage Defensive Pistol class. I will say that the agenda online for the GFH step 2 pistol class looks much more aggressive than I had at Heritage, and my understanding is Anthony also does a good job of keeping class sizes small. Both my Heritage classes had 8 people in them. I will be trying a GFH class in the near future, but just wanted to say that I'd had positive experiences with the Heritage Guild classes to this point. EDIT: the Easton facility is AWESOME! The indoor range they use for the public is right now used for the classroom range. In the next few months they'll be opening two tactical ranges with moving targets for their more advanced courses. No pictures or anything, but Matt seems really excited about it and based on my positive experience thus far I'll probably try one of their tactical courses as well as one of Anthony's GFH courses (targeting the low-light pistol course for some practical experience!) and will write up a review once I complete...but probably won't be done with both until this fall. that range is SO!!! much better then the bullet hole!! nice and bright and up to date. also BIG selection of firearms and more then enough room to move around Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TacticalOne 0 Posted April 8, 2012 I live in the middle of nowhere so it is hard to find a good instructor, what I have done is just buy instructional videos from companies such as Paladin Press or even rent them from goldstarvideo for only 10 bucks each. GS has over 60 titles for firearms to choose from. I hope that helps someone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites