Question

[Dr_Dave]

Brothers, i've been thinking about adding some training to my business. I do plan on becoming part of Gabes org. But what about offering some of the NRA classes as a lead jn to SI? I Know OPsec but there's also something to be said about the experience of this group.
thanks.

[michael]

There's nothing wrong with teaching NRA basic classes at all, and it can often serve as a feeder into more "tactical"....(I hate that word!!) classes.

[Dave Sauer]

Are you already an NRA instructor?

[Dr_Dave]

I'm considering taking the classes. There's one in Columbus early March and that would fit nicely with the need to be "range certified" to renew my CCW in Ohio. I thought I could expand have the Rat King (as Gabe calls it) pay part of the cost. Anything I can do to legally stick it to him I will do.

[ss58]

There's nothing wrong with teaching NRA basic classes at all, and it can often serve as a feeder into more "tactical"....(I hate that word!!) classes.

I got mine because my phone was ringing off the hook from friends who wanted to get CWP's. I live in a state where a basic NRA Safety Course is mandated. I offer privates at pretty much any time of day or night. I belong to a private club that has 24 access to the indoor range (.22 only). People here are subjected to 10-20 person classes that require a full 8-10 hr course and most can't give up a whole weekend day because of family obligations. I don't do it for the money, more to help facilitate people getting their permits and actually walking away with some realistic expectations. The downside to having a state mandated course is that it gives the average guy or gal the feeling that they are now prepared to carry.

I explain very clearly that this course makes you no more competent to carry a pistol than a hunter safety course makes you a hunter. It does spread quickly via word of mouth and I seem to get a lot of wives and girlfriends. I use an AWC Badlander to take the fear of noise and recoil out and their confidence soars. Then move to .22 revolver and 1911 in .22 along with the faithful MarkIII. They come back for pistol selection, holsters and usually some follow up training. I find it very rewarding and took the NRA RSO test as well so if a local club needs an extra I can help out.

I also did a fellow WT's father for free...just because I can. Do it.

Sam

[TFA303]

The benefit of NRA is that it's like the Red Cross - name recognition.

Even though you and I both know that a drunken lemur could get certified as an NRA instructor (and several have), folks who are new to guns will be more comfortable if they see that you're "certified".

[BillyOblivion]

Brothers, i've been thinking about adding some training to my business. I do plan on becoming part of Gabes org. But what about offering some of the NRA classes as a lead jn to SI? I Know OPsec but there's also something to be said about the experience of this group.
thanks.

There's a couple of issues to consider here:

1) Most gun owners have no interest in training, especially The folks here are the 1%. Maybe even the 1% of the 1%. It's very hard to make a living at the intro end unless your state has training requirements for CCW. You can then use that as a feeder.

2) It's a crowded market, and it's full of guys who (at least on paper) have Been There Done That. What can you offer that those guys can't? Yes, you're smarter and you realize that what works for a adrenalized in shape 20 year old kicking in doors in Afghanistan with a squad behind him, a heavy weapons team providing cover, artillery on call and etc. isn't necessarily going to work for a overweight 50 year old getting mugged at the ATM. But can you communicate that to the overweight 50 year old who still thinks he's a fine figure of a man and can kick your a** best out of three?

3) Running classes is a PITA. You have to find a classroom. Then you have to find a range. You have to rent the range THEN you can go find the students, hope you get enough to cover the cost of the classroom and range. Then you have to deal with the students.


At one point I got NRA instructor certified with the same idea you have. Then I looked at the environment I was in. There were already a lot of trainers who were former military (all of them SF, of course) or police officers (SWAT, of course) and underneath them was a seething mass of folks who flat out don't think they need training. After all, you just pull the gat out, pull the trigger and the badguy falls down, right?


Now, if you think you can solve those go for it. I think there is a need for more training out there, but the problem is that the folks who need it most are the least willing to pay for it. If you really want to make some cash and change the world figure out how to convince folks to get the training they need and sell THAT to the firearms trainers already out there.

[BillyOblivion]

The benefit of NRA is that it's like the Red Cross - name recognition.

Even though you and I both know that a drunken lemur could get certified as an NRA instructor (and several have), folks who are new to guns will be more comfortable if they see that you're "certified".

Hey, I wasn't drunk!

[ss58]

The benefit of NRA is that it's like the Red Cross - name recognition.

Even though you and I both know that a drunken lemur could get certified as an NRA instructor (and several have), folks who are new to guns will be more comfortable if they see that you're "certified".

Unless you live in a state where that course is required. I have a brother in B'ham, we all aren't so lucky. The Eddie the Eagle Program is great and the NRA is the biggest roadblock between us and throwing rocks right now. Like them or not they got clout. Every large organization has it's downsides.

Respectfully,

Sam

PS, I don't know how these reputation bars work or what the grey one's are,but I didn't come here for street cred. So if those are negatives....don't waste your time I don't give a sh%@ Thanks.

[Dr_Dave]

Sam,
you need the NRA basic pistol for Ohio's CCW so there's a government created market. I'm just trying to look for those ships on the horizon to start plundering them. I know there's some SI instructors south of Columbus Ohio and Northeast of Cleveland, but looks like the area I'm at is empty of any good training. I know it's a tough nut to crack but I have to so something.

[ss58]

Dave,

Here as well, there are guys making a ton of money a lot of them fitting the prior "drunken lemur" description. The going rate here is about $150.00 for the class of which a very large percentage does not focus on gun safety. I do it because it allows me really focus on safety and they get some real trigger time with malfunction drills and reloading. I see no reason to spend 3 hrs on propellants, primers and the inner workings of a round of ammunition. This can be covered in about 15 minutes. Some of the gun stores turn this into a 10hr course because they have 20 people at 150.00 a pop and want them to think they really got some training. I could probably turn what I do into a business, but as said I have one. I feel my students walk away with a very realistic attitude of what they have NOT been trained in and they ARE safe. I enjoy it and feel every responsible potential gun owner I send out is a good thing. Go for it and take the max NRA Instructor insurance. Just be an honest trainer and don't let them walk out thinking they know much. I also have a very long conversation with them about the responsibility of carrying a pistol. You will meet people who you can tell have an inherent inability to take a human life. I have sent people to Bullseye leagues and they enjoy it but will never carry...thats ok with me. Just my .02

Best of luck,

Sam