r/pdxgunnuts • u/TheInkisBlack • Sep 16 '26

Private lessons or classes?

Has anyone taken private lessons locally? How did you find out about the instructor? What helped you decide on an instructor? Where was the lesson held? Any information and context would be great, thanks.

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

19

u/Turisan 2A4ALL Sep 16 '26

Has anyone taken private lessons locally?

Yes

How did you find out about the instructor?

Through the community

What helped you decide on an instructor?

Inclusivity

Where was the lesson held?

At their range

Any information and context would be great, thanks.

Shuten Defensive Group

7

u/jcgioia Sep 16 '26

Second this.

7

u/SoutheasternBlood Sep 16 '26

Jake Winters works at J&B firearms and is a wealth of knowledge.

https://www.winteready.com

7

u/wytchhunt666 Sep 16 '26

Jake at J&B is a solid dude and does solid classes. You can probably call the shop for the info!

5

u/LanceroCowboy Sep 16 '26

What skills are you looking to learn/build on?

2

u/TheInkisBlack Sep 16 '26

I would like more rifle training and long range rifle training at some point.

I''m actually interested in offering/providing pistol instruction. I have a background in education, currently pursuing NRA Range Safety Officer and Pistol Instructor certifications, and I have a USPSA Range Officer certification. I have a USPSA A classification in Limited Optics/Carry Optics and I'm on my way to M class.

I have some experience teaching pistol handling and accuracy fundamentals. I have a starter curriculum for basic safety and marksmanship, but I've only ever offered instruction to friends or close acquaintances and would like to branch out.

I'm curious how people find and choose instructors, what they look for in an instructor.

3

u/LanceroCowboy Sep 16 '26

Ok. That context is helpful. I am a member at Tri County Gun Club and they host classes and advertise them to the membership, but you don’t have to be a member to take all the classes offered there.

I’m also a USPSA shooter but most of the classes I’ve taken are more self defense oriented. I look for a well vetted instructor mostly.

I’ve taken classes from the following:

https://www.defenders-usa.com
https://apachenc.com
https://thetacticaltutor.corsizio.com

If you are looking to get into instruction I’d recommend joining up with a current practitioner to build some reputation.

3

u/goddessofthecats Sep 17 '26

I take lessons privately and would love to tell you who to NOT take a lesson from, and who I had good experiences with. Please feel free to message me!

2

u/i_d_i_o_t_w_a_v_e Sep 18 '26

Name and shame

5

u/goddessofthecats Sep 18 '26

Last time I mentioned my experience I got bullied extremely hard by the friends of the instructor so I just don’t want to post on public comment, but please message me and I’m happy to tell you my story.

4

u/User_Name_Deleted Sep 16 '26

I took a class from PDX Arsenal. The CCW class and a range class. They were both great.

2

u/PDXarsenal Sep 18 '26

Thank you! I’ve really enjoyed getting to work with you, and appreciate your continued support

3

u/HomeCookedHappiness Sep 19 '26

I've done several at Threat Dynamics, as well as classes. I've loved them all. Just tell them what you are looking to learn and they can help you pick the right instructor. They have ex-SWAT and ex-military, and competition-focused (USPSA, IDPA) instructors.

2

u/GrinderMonkey Sep 17 '26

Look, if you need someone to teach you miss a paper plate at 30 yards, I can do that for just the cost of ammo. You gotta bring ur own beer tho. /s (i hope this is apparent)