Are you thinking about taking firearms training classes in VA Beach? If so, you need to know the many Pros and Cons that you should be considering when it comes to Private vs Group Firearms Training in VA Beach. Firearms training, such as handgun classes or a Virginia CCW Course, takes on many forms and people learn in different ways. For example, some people learn best by reading, others need one-on-one hands-on training, and for some concealed carry VA online class is a better solution as they can rewind, slow down, and re-watch as many times as needed.
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Here we are going to explore one-on-one firearms training and group firearms training options looking at the pros and cons of both.
When I had my first weapons instruction it was in the early 1990s and it was the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST PC) Firearms course taught for Law Enforcement and Security Personnel. This course was taught in a group setting and I was a wide-eyed student enamored by the array of pistols, shotguns, and rifles. There were about 12 or 15 students, all ready and willing to learn and I distinctly remember the weapons instructors being very fit and very intimidating.
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I can tell you I honestly wasn’t going to be asking very many questions for fear of appearing stupid or unknowledgeable. The truth is, I had my own issues with ego and self-confidence, and of course I had to look cool in front of everybody, with an attitude like this there would be very little learning going on for me.
Now after 30 years of running gun safety courses in Virginia Beach whether it be pistols, Virginia Beach Concealed Carry, carbines, and precision rifles with all of the experience of being the student AND an instructor, I now know it’s the person (student) that creates the biggest learning environment. Please don’t get me wrong there are many horrible instructors out there and most unfortunately don’t do a good job of setting the right mood/tone for an environment with rapid and fun learning.
There are some that do an excellent job, but still, the biggest factor is the student. Whether it be for a group or private one-on-one, the student is the one that’s driving the boat to ultimate learning.
Group Firearms Training VA Beach: Pros
What are some of the benefits of group firearms training in Virginia Beach?
Pricing of group firearms training will always be less than private one on one weapons training.
Convenience - group training can be as easy as going online, register for a course - you show up and you’re good to go.
You will be around like-minded people which can be a SUPER great thing.
You will hear other opinions and thoughts that will spark new ideas and creativity.
You will get to watch other people and learn what to do and what not to do.
If you don’t want to participate or talk, you can hide in the group and let others take that slot.
A group could be where you make lifelong friends. I’ve personally met some great people that I still keep in touch with from courses I attended years ago.
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Group Firearms Training VA Beach: Cons
What are some of the possible negatives of group firearms training in Virginia Beach?
Often the instructor must focus on so many students you will not get the attention that you may need.
You can allow other people to affect your thinking or because they think differently you may not speak your mind.
Sometimes in group firearms training, very few rounds get shot.
It’s easy to hide in the group and not get your training needs met.
Depending on the organization and group they can be “clique-ish”.
You often will have to wait in line for the training evolution course of fire to run through to completion. This can eat up a lot of time depending on how it is run.
I’ve had some amazing training experiences in a group weapons courses and I’ve had some fabulous one-on-one training experiences that I won’t forget.
Private Firearms Training in VA Beach: Pros
What are some of the benefits of taking private firearms training in Virginia Beach?
The schedule often works for your lifestyle around your availability.
You have the sole attention of your instructor to answer your questions and your questions alone.
If your firearms instructor is good, you’ll be able to develop a solid personal relationship with them. This can make all the difference in the world.
You get to have this instructor demonstrate for you and tweak all your body movements and weapon manipulations.
Because you’re working directly with a professional instructor you should be making yard step progress far beyond that of being in a group setting.
You’re not going to be able to hide like you can in a group so if your goal is to make progress a good instructor should be able to read your personality type and bring you to your desired goal.
Private Firearms Training in VA Beach: Cons
What are some of the possible negatives of taking private firearms training in Virginia Beach?
It can be expensive in comparison to group training.
If you don’t like the spotlight on you, you may not want this option.
You may not get along with your instructor and depending on your training arrangement you may have to grind through the rest of your sessions or quit.
Your instructor may be terrible and therefore you will likely have a bad experience with private training.
You don’t get to see other people’s progress and know where you are in the learning curve because you have nothing to contrast it against.
At the end of the day, you have to look at what fits best for your needs, budget, and scheduling.
Something that I suggest to many people is to start with private firearms instruction in Virginia Beach and once they have confidence and a strong foundation, they can transition to group classes and can really excel and show off their safety, gun craft mechanics, and weapons shooting skills to their peers/friends.
Summary
Top 3 Group Firearms Training Pros:
Pricing of group firearms training will always be less than private one on one weapons training.
Convenience - group training can be as easy as going online, register for a course - you show up and you’re good to go.
You will hear other opinions and thoughts that will spark new ideas and creativity.
Top 3 Group Firearms Training Cons:
Often the instructor must focus on so many students you will not get the attention that you may need.
You can allow other people to affect your thinking or because they think differently you may not speak your mind.
You often will have to wait in line for the training evolution course of fire to run through to completion. This can eat up a lot of time depending on how it is run.
Top 3 Private Firearms Training Pros:
The schedule often works for your lifestyle around your availability.
You have the sole attention of your instructor to answer your questions and your questions alone.
You get to have this instructor demonstrate for you and tweak all your body movements and weapon manipulations.
Top 3 Private Firearms Training Cons:
It can be expensive in comparison to group training.
You may not get along with your instructor and depending on your training arrangement you may have to grind through the rest of your sessions or quit.
You don’t get to see other people’s progress and know where you are in the learning curve because you have nothing to contrast it against.
Click below to sign-up and use code “VATRAINING” to get 40% your first group training with us.
In Conclusion
The worst thing is for you to do nothing. Make sure you get started! I see people years later after that first conversation at the gun store, weapons trade show or they may have even inquired about training with us, and they still haven’t done anything! Don’t let that be you. Be a doer, an implementer, and become that protector you want to be.
At Intuitive Self Protection we have a number of different learning platforms whether it be online, online – live combo packages, private one-on-one training, semi-private small group training, and large emersion training with scenario stress courses. All taught at a top tier level. To see all of our self-defense training options visit our website at https://www.intuitivesp.com/protector.
In closing I would suggest reading the reviews from your potential instructor and they should be glowing reviews. As an example, here are Intuitive Self Protection’s Reviews.
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Written by Hank Hayes
About the Author
Hank Hayes is a Martial Arts Hall of Famer and inventor of the No Lie Blade. He is the founder and CEO of both Intuitive Self Protection and NLB Tactical and creator of the ISP/NLB viscous fighting system. Since 1998, he has trained well over 22,000 Military and Law Enforcement personnel via Government contract mainly at the elite special teams level and continues to train both civilians and MIL/LE how to come home safe.