The Gun Counter

I'd like to start a small firearms training company/firearms consulting business. I have a lot of training and experience in training untrained to minimally trained personnel in shooting, so I'd like to focus on that. In order to provide legitimacy to myself, I was looking at the NRA Instructor courses. There's a bunch close to me, and I could knock out pistol, rifle, range safety, and defense of home in short order.

Of course, then I saw that the instructor courses require a "Basic Instructor Training", which costs additional money, and will teach me to be a good public speaker and make me comfortable in front of people. For some reason, I think that I have that part covered.

Are these things worth it or not?

Business partner and I will be attending the full gamut over the next few months, I'll let you know.

I would be interested, as well.

Good timing, I just completed the NRA Range Safety Officer, Basic Instructor, and Basic Pistol Instructor training a week ago.

I think it is an excellent place to start, they will set you up with curriculum and course materials. Convenient if you are just getting started with teaching. However, it is only worth while if you are going to teach the NRA courses. The NRA will not let you advertise that you are a certified NRA instructor unless it is in connection with teaching one of the NRA courses.

I only took the Basic Pistol course, but it was really basic. Safety was the main focus, not improving skills or technique. Each student only fired ten rounds, and you pretty much pass if you manage to avoid shooting yourself or one of the other students.

BloodlessWeevil wrote:However, it is only worth while if you are going to teach the NRA courses. The NRA will not let you advertise that you are a certified NRA instructor unless it is in connection with teaching one of the NRA courses.

So teach one NRA course a year, and keep it on the website/business cards? I'm kind of disappointed in the content. I figured that it would be more about teaching the basics, with a focus on learning systems or training methods.

What about if you have almost 20 years experience of teaching and making presentations to large groups. Do you still have to pay to learn something you already have been doing for decades?

skb12172 wrote:What about if you have almost 20 years experience of teaching and making presentations to large groups. Do you still have to pay to learn something you already have been doing for decades?

Likely yes as like most credentials its all about the cash. To be honest at this point, I expect getting firearms training certs to do training should be a decent investment.

JAG2955 wrote:

BloodlessWeevil wrote:However, it is only worth while if you are going to teach the NRA courses. The NRA will not let you advertise that you are a certified NRA instructor unless it is in connection with teaching one of the NRA courses.

So teach one NRA course a year, and keep it on the website/business cards?

I was told specifically that you cannot do that (business cards were used as an example.)

Here is the NRA's policy:
"A clear disclaimer is required when an NRA trainer conducts a course that is not NRA approved or recognized. "NRA Certified Instructor" may not appear on materials [including advertisements] for any non-NRA course, unless a written disclaimer appears in the promotional material or advertising in print of at least the same size as the course title."

BW, did you take the Basic Pistol course as well?

Was it useful, or anything that I would be interested in using as curriculum, or was it all about basic pistol safety?

JAG2955 wrote:BW, did you take the Basic Pistol course as well?

Was it useful, or anything that I would be interested in using as curriculum, or was it all about basic pistol safety?

There was heavy emphasis on safety but it was not the entirety of the course. There were sections about different parts of a pistol, ammunition, and the like. Honestly, it really felt like it was designed to be the fastest route from "I have no idea what a gun is" to sending lead (in the general direction of) downrange. The practical shooting section has each student fire ten rounds into a paper plate at 10-15 yards. You can try to get more range time in, but it would be a long day for all concerned (minimum time is around eight hours.)

As the title of the course implies, it was incredibly basic. I would say not much use for anyone who has actually fired a handgun. However, the NRA does not seem to offer much else. They did include a brochure for the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program. Though I got the impression it was just rewarding improvement and does not involve any actual coaching.