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luckyman
04-30-2014, 05:05 PM
I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on pistol classes in Southern California.

I found this link:
http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?1178-Recommended-Beginner-Intermediate-Training-in-Southern-CA

Any other feedback?

Classes I've attended so far:

Beginners's class from TJ Johnston at Allsafe Defense. http://www.allsafedefense.com/
I thought this was a great beginner's class, but then it was the first class I ever went to, so what did I know? I still have the impression it was a good class for beginners. TJ did well with the extremely wide range of people in the class, and the class was design to let you try a variety of handguns.

A couple of different classes from Edmund Tan at Shoot Safe learning. http://www.shootsafelearning.com/
Classes included a "skill builder" class and a "shooting from a holster" class. These were held indoors in SoCal Sharpshooter. The SoCal Sharpshooter range is pretty run down, and the guys there are a little quirky, but if you have taken the holster qualification they let you shoot from a holster with no restrictions on how fast you are allowed to shoot. So I'm not going to complain.
I thought Edmund himself was also a good instructor. He's a friendly, pretty low-key guy. And the classes are very convenient to me. However since the classes were in a few lanes of an indoor range they were pretty limited. Also, Edmund had one retired LEO instructor who was OK, but he had a couple other informal assistants that I wasn't so impressed with.

2 Classes from ITTS. I just wrote an AAR on the second one here: http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?12129-AAR-ITTS-Defensive-Handgun-III
ITTS is definitely a step up from the other two I listed above. ITS was awesome, but I'm kind of glad I didn't take my first class there. Even though I'm sure ITTS is good for new shooters, I'm glad I got a broader introduction to the different techniques out there before I went to ITTS.


I'm trying to decide where to go next. I'd like to keep it within driving distance; so SoCal or maybe Las Vegas or something. I could also probably make it up to the Bay Area pretty easily.

I've penciled in one more class from ITTS, but am wondering what other options would make sense.
Does anyone have any info on the Aegis Academy? Their class structure makes sense, but their web site looks almost a little too slick / "tactical", and that has me nervous. And in any case, I'm reluctant to invest money in a class without a reference from someone I trust.

Also I would love to go to a class like Bruce Gray's "practical fundamentals", but he isn't scheduled for CA this year. If anyone has leads on that sort of class I would love to hear about it.

LittleLebowski
04-30-2014, 05:27 PM
I might know a guy (http://rationalgun.blogspot.com/2011/11/interview-with-hero-in-honor-of.html).......

JAD
04-30-2014, 05:29 PM
Doesn't awerbuck teach up in sactown a lot? That's some good stuff. Long drive but pretty.

Dagga Boy
04-30-2014, 10:03 PM
Just a note on the ITTS basic classes. In the past, Brett usually taught those. It was a much more relaxed atmosphere and she is very good with those classes. Also, when she does the women's classes, I have heard NOTHING but rave reviews from the students.

HopetonBrown
05-01-2014, 12:24 AM
Mike Pannone is doing a 2 day handgun in So Cal May 24/25. Dude is legit. Sorry, looks like it's full.

Frank Proctor is in the Bay Area in June but again, sold out.

Louis Awerbuck has a 2 day handgun also in the Bay Area which will probably happen June 21-22. Louis is a bad ass.

Ken Hackathorn is back droppin' science in the Bay Area in October.



I've never trained with him, but Max Joseph/TFTT trains regularly in So Cal and he's on my bucket list.

luckyman
05-01-2014, 01:20 PM
I might know a guy (http://rationalgun.blogspot.com/2011/11/interview-with-hero-in-honor-of.html).......

Hey LL, are you implying that Robert Blanton is teaching somewhere in SoCal? I'm not picking it up on Google.

luckyman
05-01-2014, 01:25 PM
Thanks JAD and HB on your leads. Schedule and budget constrain me to August or later for my next class; I will keep an eye on these trainer's schedules.

The Max Joseph lead is especially convenient. Anyone actually taken classes from him?

LittleLebowski
05-01-2014, 01:37 PM
Hey LL, are you implying that Robert Blanton is teaching somewhere in SoCal? I'm not picking it up on Google.

No, I'm trying to talk him into doing so.

luckyman
05-01-2014, 01:40 PM
No, I'm trying to talk him into doing so.

Well, tell him he has at least one person waiting to hand him over some money if he is doing anything in August or later. Or in June for that matter :-)