Teaching an old friend how to shoot...How would you design the training?

[GeorgeCook]

A friend of mine and her partner want me to teach them how to shoot, in the context of self defense. They have been on me for some time and I tried to steer them to qualified instructors, but they trust me and they don't want to go to anyone else. So I relented.

I made clear to them, and will continually do so, that I am not an expert in this stuff. In fact I consider myself a layman, a student. The only thing I "know" is that I really don't know...

Their first lesson I gave them was this:
Purchase ear protection and evaluate the eye protection they will be using. I gave them some guidelines on how to determine what is adequate protection and I told them when they are with me on the range these are absolutely mandatory. I also told them to go spend one hour with a criminal defense attorney who supports their right to carry a firearm for self defense - preferably a former prosecutor. I gave them a firm here in town and told them fee might be around $250. It's an expense but it might just keep them out of trouble.

For the follow up lessons I plan to get into the following:
Situational awareness.
Mindset - kill or be killed. Do they have the capacity to do it...
Clothing and method of carry
Choices for carry and the home
Suggestions on personal fitness - this will be handled delicately....
Unarmed combatives....
Shooting

Honestly, I think the shooting part should be toward later part of the training. I am envisioning this taking place over several sessions. Given the list of categories above, what would you think should be in there, not in there, and how would you "program" it?

Before I get accused of this, let me just make it clear here: I do not profess to be the next Rob Pincus, Michael Bane, Jim Cirrillo, Clint Smith, etc....I am a student trying to give a friend some BASIC skills to start with and hopefully they can move on to a more qualified instructor.

Let me thank everyone in advance for their recommendations!

Take care,
George

[tombogan03884]

You don't specifically mention it in your post so I will say don't forget to harp on basic safety rules, all the rest of it is useless if they shoot themselves on the draw.
You could show them that Tex Grebner video and say "don't do that".
Otherwise it looks like you've got it pretty well covered.
One thing I would add is conduct after the event.
Call 911, even if no shots are fired. (CYA ) "I was in fear for my life", there's the weapon, there are the witness's etc.

[MikeBjerum]

You have done well to set them up with legal advise.  I would get them one or two books on carry, and have them read them before you get into actual carry or self protection items.  I would also cover the basics of firearm safety before going deeper.

We make sure basic firearm safety has been covered before we start, but we do not require any reading ahead of time.  I wish that would change, but it isn't my call.

[Tyler Durden]

Todd Jarret on the grip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Travis Tomasie on shot calling:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q1XC8k-tZc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Tyler Durden]

This is typically how things go:

Beginner--->intermediate--->veteran

Toolset--->skillset--->mindset

Beginners focus on "oh my gosh!  Which gun? Which holster? Which belt?"

Intermediates think:  " my draw still sucks... My reloads still take longer than 2 seconds."

Veterans think:  "today might be the day I have to look evil directly in the eyes and eliminate it quickly with much violence.   I will be triumphant!"

[Sponsor]

[crusader rabbit]

I think my pal Tom has it right.  Basics, basics, basics...  And safety, safety, safety.

Make certain they have the essentials of proper, safe handling before going on to situational awareness and techniques.

Let them get comfortable holding, aiming, and shooting the weapon.  When the can hit what they point at without endangering those around them, slowly move to the next stage.

When you get them to the point of drawing, aiming, firing, and hitting the target while you are screaming at them, they'll likely be okay in a real life, dangerous situation.

But, the long and short of it is that it sounds like you have things covered pretty well.

Just lead your new little flock with care.  Both you and they will be just fine..

Crusader

[TAB]

Start them off small, then work up.   I like to start people that have never shot before with a 22 rifle( bolt is even better) at a bench.    also have them double up on hearing protection.  It helps with recoil( in your head anyways)

[kmitch200]

Start them off small, then work up.   I like to start people that have never shot before with a 22 rifle( bolt is even better) at a bench.    also have them double up on hearing protection.  It helps with recoil( in your head anyways)

Good call. Plugs & muffs are great for new shooters. Esp. if you have electronic muffs so they can still hear you talk.
Good ones shut down loud noise to non-dangerous levels in about 1.1ms but don't cut out completely. ($$$)
Recoil from bigger handguns is like getting high fived by an exuberant 10 yr old - the loud bang & flash is what freaks newbs out more unless explained properly.

George, sounds like you are going to have them headed on a good track. When you get to the shooting, you can break the ice about the fitness by having them run 30-40 yrds to a table with the gun on it, then fire. Severe wheezing opens up groups!

[PegLeg45]

Ditto what others have said as to the direction you are going.

I would add to the mindset something I have used to test their current level: I remove the 'gun' from the equation and replace it with anything else.... knife, screwdriver, bat, etc. Ask them if someone broke into their home or attacked them would they use anything they could get their hands on to protect themselves and then use it the best they could to stop the threat. If the answer is "Yes" then you can then explain that the gun is basically the same tool, in theoretical function.... simply more powerful and more able to level the playing field. I have found that gets folks over the internal 'hump'....if there is one.

Bravo to you for taking on the task....... many folks (just read American Rifleman's The Armed Citizen) have defended themselves by knowing the simple basics and knowing proper use of firearms.

[ronlarimer]

I always start with a heavy gun in a light caliber and a large target with no determinable "bullseye"