Hello Shinken. I applaud you for not being too proud to take some lessons. You will come out way ahead of the curve, and you'll know gun safety inside and out. The NRA course would be great if there's one near you.

Note that the CCW course is not actually 'lessons' but is meant to qualify you for a CCW permit. You'll want to take some lessons before taking the CCW course.

Glad to see you're signing up your girlfriend also. Be mindful of any recommendations that your instructor makes regarding her as well. My fiance enjoys shooting, but she likes to stick to the softer shooting stuff like .22 lr and .38 special. Keep your lady happy and you'll always have someone to shoot with.

Good Luck

The classes you are taking is a good idea. You might also see about joining a leauge at the range. That way you will meet a lot of guys who will be more than glad to help you out. Don't forget the better half as there is lady's shooting in them too. Makes for a nice night out every week. Good luck.

I'm an NRA pistol instructor, so naturally I recommend starting there. You can do First Steps, but I strongly recommend the full Basic Pistol course.

After you've completed that, the CCW course might not be a bad option if it's the course available to you. I find the quality of local CCW instructors varies a great deal, but I have seen some very high-speed local instructors.

If you're ambitious, you might look into courses from higher-level instructors, many of whom travel the country teaching courses. Training is really the best way to get off to a productive start, and every time I go to the range, I say a silent thanks to my father for having the foresight to enroll me in upper-level pistol training at a young age.

Phase one complete Just went to Sheriff's Office and got my permit to purchase. While this may seem simple and unexciting to people involved in the gun world for a long time, this is my first one so I am tickled blue. Next phase, classes... I think I have found the right place in the Quad Cities "Shooting Sports" they also offer NRA safety classes etc... After classes it is going to be one of the following:

1. Sig P226
2. Sig P229
3. Beretta 92FS

(and maybe 1911 sometime later).

Unless of course I find a better mate during the classes and range use.

CC

Basic Self Defense Handgun Course I
Basic Handgun Course II
Intermediate Self Defense Handgun Course
Advanced Self Defense Handgun Course

All worth it! It gives you that warrior mentality and be able to use your handgun as if it was a third arm.

Good luck and continue on learning.

Just like any ladder start at the bottom and work your way to the top. There will always be something more to learn. Enjoy the journeyand make sure the lady enjoys hers also.

Use double ear protection, especially for your girlfriend. My wife almost quit shooting because of the loud shooting from the folks in the next lanes.

Ear plugs in combination with ear muffs kept her coming back to the range.

WM

Originally Posted by GlockamaniaŽ

It gives you that warrior mentality

I do not know why people think that a few pistol classes confers a "warrior mentality." Or why anyone not in a war would even want one. If you're not in a war, why would you want to think like a "warrior?"