I picked up a shotgun the other day, one I really want to get good with. Am considering taking a defensive shotgun course but am not looking forward to finding 1,100 or so rounds of ammo required to take the class. Anyone here have insight they could share about their experience with defensive shotgun classes?
I didn't take a class per se strictly devoted to shotgun but I have taken defensive shooting classes. The only thing that was strange to me, was shooting from the hip had never done that. It was surprisingly not that difficult and in fact I bought my mother a 12 gauge and taught her how to do it. With needing 1100 rounds you're probably going to have far more training than I ever dreamed of. Is for training that will help you I would say reloading setting safeties unsetting safeties racking around making the gun safe and you go through all these processes without looking at the gun. Do them over and over and over until you're dreaming about them. And when they're second nature, In the heat of the moment you will still probably fumble with them but not as badly.
Most of the "defensive" firearms courses I've seen look like parodies of some Rambo-esque, Navy Seals storming the Jihadists movie...probably better off taking a basic safety and handling course, then practicing scenarios more suited to the circumstances of your home and its surroundings.
I don't think a basic course will offer the kinds of tips and tricks I want to pick up. I hear ya about Rambos, but that's what it looked like in the Army too. I was 11B back in the 80's. Buncha Rambos running around. Hell, you might even think I'm one. Point is I'm buying the info, I don't care what the guy next to me is wearing. I'll pay attention to the instruction and will practice it till I'm good. I've already picked up great pointers on YT, but there is probably a lot more they don't tell everyone on a video. With all that being said, I think 3 gun competition will give me more of what I'm looking for. The important aspects are accuracy and speed while keeping the gun loaded and in the game/fight. It would also help me with brushing up on my rifle skills because the 80's was a long time ago. Pistol training as well, I could use some more. But on the other side of the coin, that would mean I have yet another expensive hobby, which I can't afford until I get rid of something else...
Was it a class involved with the Academy or can citizens take it? If it cost you money to take the course, do you feel it was money well spent?
That particular one was offered by the police academy but it's basic shooting. You could probably find out CHL group that will teach you how to do it. It really was the same training
I would love to try 3 gun. The problem is I don’t have time to get competitive-good with one platform, let alone 3! Plus, I think the only place closer than 2-3 hours away hosting competitions quit a couple years ago. 00 buck is my go to but when the ammo thing straightened out I’m going to pick up some #4 buck and test it out for patterning/penetration. I have an abandoned house on a piece of ground I rent from my father-in-law that I use to test home defense ammo/firearms. It’s mostly plaster and lath but my house is as well so it’s perfect. I’m kind of in the same boat as @SiNNiK. I bought a new semi auto just before the big ammo shortage and never expected 12 gauge to completely disappear! I have a half box of bird shot for my old model 12 that I hardly ever shot unless a particular pigeon pissed me off or something and a few boxes of 00 buck “just in case”. Now I’ll just be patient until 12 gauge ammo is easy and cheap to get again.
My favorite shotgun to shoot from the hip is the Henry Axe. my favorite self defense shotgun is the TriStar Compact shotguns are great for self defense and with 00 buck you can kill a coyote at 100 yards. They’re nothing to underestimate. In my opinion they’re a great class of guns to train up on.
I wasn't familiar with the Henry x I had to look that one up that's pretty cool. I've been really impressed with the brunelli Nova. It wasn't very expensive it's easy to clean and it shoots like a dream But there's always guns with the coolness Factor. And I agree a shotgun is a fantastic firearm for many different things.
I doubt this is the kind of class Democrats are talking about, but this is exactly what I was looking for.
You should look into the SuperNova if you like the Nova. I don't know what kind of budget you have but I bet you would really, really like it.
