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Anybody here an NRA Certified instructor? Anybody know one?
I'm seriously considering taking the Pistol Instructor Course for Women and becoming a female instructor. They are offering the course during the annual meeting in St. Louis next month. I just had them send me more information.
My husband is a firearms instructor for police and gub'ment workers, he also teaches some concealed carry classes. We've discussed the need for a "women's only" class, where maybe I could assist the women to make them more comfortable. I figure if I am a certified instructor that would be even better.
thoughts?
Bawanna
03-13-2012, 11:26 AM
With out doubt, go for it. I looked into it a few years ago myself and didn't like all the hoops I had to jump through and being deaf it was just too much for me.
Your right we certainly need more woman instructors and you'd be perfect.
I'm still waiting to see on my end if I can make St Louis. One of my co workers is going on a cruise about the same time and they don't like both of us to be gone at the same time.
Was hoping to link up with Johnh and Justin and maybe some of the folks from Kahr there, plus I got a ton of kin within an hour of St Louis so it would be a win win trip.
we plan to go, but my husband starts a new job next week so it really depends on if he feels like he can ask for a day or two off work so quickly. Going to wait a couple more weeks before we decide 100%.
If I can't make it to St. Louis, I can take one of the upcoming instructor classes given in my area. I already looked up dates and locations within 200 miles of me.
Hi TD2K,
I am a NRA instructor. I have been one for a long time. Definitely take the course. You will not regret it. Neither will your future students! ;)
cool. thanks WMD.
I talked to my husband last night, he's all for it. In fact, he wants to get certified as well. If we can't make it to St. Louis, there are a few more opportunities this summer that are within driving distance.
The email I received yesterday from the Female Instructor coordinator said "Of the nearly 90,000 NRA Certified Instructors across the US, only 1750 of us are women". WOW.
Tinman507
03-14-2012, 08:11 AM
TD2K,
If you were an NRA Instructor around SE PA, I could almost guarantee you could run 52 classes per year and still have a waiting list. More and more women are getting into guns and shooting and would prefer a female instructor. you would bring a unique perspective to the classes that men cannot. I urge you to go for it.
340pd
03-14-2012, 09:10 AM
I am one and took the course with a female. She was great to work with and I look forward to working with her in our classes. Go for it.
Thanks, Tinman. My husband is friends with the manager of the largest indoor range here in OKC. I don't know if they have any female instructors, but we are going to see about maybe working with them until we can some land of our own to use.
great to hear, 340pd. This is definitely something I want to do, just have to find the time to make it happen.
JFootin
03-14-2012, 11:12 AM
The email I received yesterday from the Female Instructor coordinator said "Of the nearly 90,000 NRA Certified Instructors across the US, only 1750 of us are women". WOW.
You'll be sort of like royalty in gun circles! And the money making opportunities for both of you! Wow!
I know. I can't believe there are so few women instructors.
Bawanna
03-14-2012, 12:07 PM
Kind of has me considering a sex change myself.
JFootin
03-14-2012, 03:05 PM
With that pretty Swede at home, that's the last thing I'd be thinking about! :tongue:
just sent in my completed application and payment for the Women's program in St. Louis. I'm excited!
I've been accepted.
Hotel room is booked.
I'm ready!
Tinman507
03-20-2012, 12:16 PM
Go Girl!!
Bawanna
03-20-2012, 12:21 PM
Outstanding. Hope you have time to look around the rest of the show too in between all that instructor learning stuff. Should be pretty neat stuff to look at.
Do swing by and get some pics of you, (your real hubby) and JohnH and Justin Moon and the Kahr folks. See if you can get John to smile. I'm not a smiler myself so I know he'll need help.
Lead the way girl, we're all behind ya. Guess that makes us cheerleaders.
I hope I have a little time to see the show, the schedule has us pretty booked solid.
Still not sure if (real) hubby is going or not, hopefully we'll know soon.
Bawanna
03-20-2012, 01:24 PM
Well if he don't go let me know right.................scratch that thought.
He should go and protect you, parts of St Louis were and no doubt still can be a bit rough. Course you'll be fine inside the show and nearby area.
I haven't heard if this venue will allow firearms or not. If I make it and its not looking good I probably will be rolling around nekkid unless one of my cousins loans me something. I'll most likely do the train to avoid the Walmart, I mean TSA folks.
We're looking pretty short handed about then so my leaders probably won't let me be gone that long.
yeah, I won't venture far from the venue and hotel. I've been to St. Louis several times, but it's been a long time ago. Used to visit family there, but they're all gone now.
A girlfriend of mine may go if hubby can't. She can take my car and sight see and such while I'm in class. I will have my firearms with me, my 1911 .22 for qualifying, and of course my MK9 for CC. If they don't let us take them into the venue, then I won't be able to go in unless she is somewhere close by for me to stash them in the car. Let me know if you find out.
Bawanna
03-20-2012, 01:58 PM
yeah, I won't venture far from the venue and hotel. I've been to St. Louis several times, but it's been a long time ago. Used to visit family there, but they're all gone now.
A girlfriend of mine may go if hubby can't. She can take my car and sight see and such while I'm in class. I will have my firearms with me, my 1911 .22 for qualifying, and of course my MK9 for CC. If they don't let us take them into the venue, then I won't be able to go in unless she is somewhere close by for me to stash them in the car. Let me know if you find out.
You have to do a qual to get the certificate? Wonder where they will do that?
If I go my real wife will be along so she might want to hook up with your girlfriend to sightsee. Or your girlfriend can hang with us, 3 is better than 2 especially when one of the 3 is me. I'm small but I'm wiry. Sort of a pitbull with false teeth, but my hands are still lethal. I'm sure I won't have time to see everything I want to see in the show. But I gotta drag myself away and visit about a hundred relatives who I haven't seen in 25 years or more. Many reaching their expiration date so I need to visit soon.
"Once you have registered, I will send you the additional forms you’ll need for the Course Qualification (safe handling and shooting) to be held at the range on Friday morning 4/13 between 9:00 am and Noon. You’re welcome to bring your own firearms for qualification and we will have several .22 pistols available if you prefer to use our training firearms."
Friday, April 13, 9:00 am to Noon
Range Pre-Qualification
Ultimate Defense Firing Range
590 Turner Blvd
St Peters MO 63376
636-278-2825
She also sent the qualification requirements. It's not too bad. I went out and practiced on Sunday with 8" targets just to be sure.
"PHASE 1 - LOADING/UNLOADING
Location: Classroom or Range
Using dummy ammunition, instructor candidate must load and unload a single action
revolver, double action revolver, and a semi-automatic pistol.
PHASE 2 – CLEARING COMMON PISTOL STOPPAGES
Location: Range
Using dummy ammunition, instructor candidate must demonstrate how to clear a
common pistol stoppage using a semi-automatic pistol. Training Counselor will set-up
the pistol and conduct a practical exercise involving failure to fire and double feeds.
PHASE 3 – PISTOL SHOOTING
Location: Range
Candidate will shoot any gun of their choice, regardless of action, sights or caliber, at a
blank 9 inch diameter paper target at a distance of 15 yards. Candidates will fire 20 shots
from a two-handed, unsupported, standing position. Targets will be broken into two tenshot
targets or four five-shot targets. Three points will be given for each scoring hit. In
order for a hit to count, it must fall inside a ˝” border from the edge of the plate. Shots
that break the edge of the ˝” border will count as hits. All scoring hits on a target must
be within a 6” or less extreme spread (see below). Candidates will be allowed to shoot
their own firearms if desired."
I'm not all that familiar with a single action revolver, so I have a friend that's going to loan me his to practice. Doesn't look like I actually have to shoot it, just load and unload.
Bawanna
03-20-2012, 02:30 PM
Sounds insanely simple over all. No magic to loading and unloading a Single action revolver.
You should ace this with your eyes closed and one hand tied behind your back, oh wait they said two handed unsupported, might need the second hand for that.
I thought some of it might be one-handed, I found online that it was. with strong hand and weak hand. so I practiced that too, just in case.
Well class starts next Friday, I'm pretty excited.
My husband works with an NRA Law Enforcement instructor, so I borrowed his teaching material. Read about half of it last night. I know it'll be a little different than what I'll be teaching, but I wanted to get familiar with their terminology, methods, etc.
I also borrowed a single action revolver and did some loading/unloading drills (thanks for the help, youtube). I wasn't familiar with a single action, and I will be tested on that as well.
Going to the range tonight to practice the qualification course again. I bought some 9" paper plates to shoot, so I can get used to a 9" target at 15 yards.
Tinman507
04-04-2012, 07:30 AM
Congrats and good luck! You'll do great I am sure.
Just remember all the good and bad instructors you've had and strive to be the good ones and avoid the bad ones.
Training others is more than just covering the material. It's ensuring your students understand the material. If they don't, you have not done your job. The goal is always to know the material well enough that you can stray from the scripted stuff enough to make sure the student understands.
Have fun with it.
the only instructor I've had is my husband, and I think he's pretty darn good. :D
340pd
04-04-2012, 01:05 PM
If you shoot on a semi regular basis you will have no problem qualifying. Safety is there biggest issue. Let us all know when you are qualified. Note you will then be eligible for discounts from many major gun manufactures. Kahr being one of the most generous.
yeah, the guys at the Kahr Booth gave me some pricing for instructors while we were at the Vegas SHOT show. VERY good pricing. But only 1 purchase/year I believe. I wonder if both my husband and I can purchase since we will be be instructors. hmmmm
Leaving Wednesday after work, going to stop over in Joplin and stay with the out-laws for the night. Take them to breakfast then on to St. Louis on Thursday. Class is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
I'm very excited!
PYROhafe
04-09-2012, 09:26 AM
Congrats n good luck! Can't wait to hear how it goes! I'm def jealous! There's a place not too far from me that does instructor training that I was thinking of looking into. How do u go about getting a job as an instructor after ur done?
well I'm not giving up my day job. lol
First I hope to get in with the local range to offer some women's only classes. Once hubby and I get some land, we want to teach classes and hold competitions there. We are actively looking for a location, but nothing affordable has jumped out at us yet.
lowroad
04-09-2012, 09:37 AM
My FFL is female and offers female only instruction for handgun, CCW, etc.... I can get you in touch with her if you like.
FYI for those that are attending the show, received this in an email yesterday:
"Please remember that you are not permitted to have loaded firearms in the Convention Center. Please secure them before entering the building."
SpecK
04-10-2012, 11:58 AM
FYI for those that are attending the show, received this in an email yesterday:
"Please remember that you are not permitted to have loaded firearms in the Convention Center. Please secure them before entering the building."
So you can still carry, you just have to keep the mag in your pocket? Verbage makes me feel like an idiot sometimes :(
Bawanna
04-10-2012, 12:02 PM
So you can still carry, you just have to keep the mag in your pocket? Verbage makes me feel like an idiot sometimes :(
Hard to tell but I suspect they will not allow loaded magazines either. Not sure if they will be tying guns or if them mean secure them in your car.
I know our gun shows they don't want loaded magazines on your person.
SpecK
04-10-2012, 12:14 PM
Makes sense. I wondered about the store ammo seperately thing...but tying guns :confused: the only tying gun I know of is for rebar
Bawanna
04-10-2012, 12:18 PM
Makes sense. I wondered about the store ammo seperately thing...but tying guns :confused: the only tying gun I know of is for rebar
Zip ties. I tied a little rebar in my day, never had a gun, only pliers and a very sore back. My dad was a rod buster for many many years, hard work.
yeah, I've never understood that. At the local gun shows you can take in your gun (they place a zip tie through the barrel when you enter the door), empty magazines, but no ammo. Yet I can walk up to the first table and buy thousands of rounds of ammo. I've taken my guns in before if I'm looking for parts or a holster, etc. Otherwise it's easier to just leave them in the car or home.
I'll just leave mine in the car when I go into the show. No biggie.
SpecK
04-10-2012, 12:46 PM
yeah, I've never understood that. At the local gun shows you can take in your gun (they place a zip tie through the barrel when you enter the door), empty magazines, but no ammo. Yet I can walk up to the first table and buy thousands of rounds of ammo. I've taken my guns in before if I'm looking for parts or a holster, etc. Otherwise it's easier to just leave them in the car or home.
I'll just leave mine in the car when I go into the show. No biggie.
Im guessing, like everything these days, you have to CYA. Its probably a legal disclaimer the suits told them to make. One less thing to be sued over. -- Im afraid to take anything but my carry in our shows, Im too impulse and would trade it off for something bigger and better :)
Bawanna, luckily Ive watched it be done by hand but never had to do it. I can only imagine how much of a man you'd be after doing that for years on end.
Bawanna
04-10-2012, 12:49 PM
yeah, I've never understood that. At the local gun shows you can take in your gun (they place a zip tie through the barrel when you enter the door), empty magazines, but no ammo. Yet I can walk up to the first table and buy thousands of rounds of ammo. I've taken my guns in before if I'm looking for parts or a holster, etc. Otherwise it's easier to just leave them in the car or home.
I'll just leave mine in the car when I go into the show. No biggie.
I think it all depends on the venue. I was told that at SHOT, they allowed loaded guns and there was no checking at the door.
Depending on where I park I take mine in to our shows. If I park close I have Spider and his security guys to keep an eye on things. If I'm out in the back 40 I'll bring it along.
They weren't checking anyone at the SHOT show. Just picked up our badges and went right in.
We flew out to Vegas, so we didn't take any with us anyway.
Well hubby and I left right after I got off work yesterday, drove to Carthage and spent the night with my MIL. Arrived in St. Louis about 3:00 today, went to the convention center and got checked in and everything. Drove around downtown a little, I missed a turn and got on the WRONG bridge, ended up in East St. Louis. Thought I might get to fire my gun sooner than I thought. Finally found our way back across the river and to our hotel. Doing some last minute studying before tomorrow. Gotta meet at the range at 9:00 for my first qualification. I'm excited!
Training went very well. We had a GREAT team of instructors, 5 in all, that did an amazing job. Everything in the pistol course is very basic, I just had to get used to the NRA's method of teaching, nomenclature, etc.
There were 12 awesome gals that are the newest instructors and we are ready to take the world by storm. :D
I had very little time to spend at the show (about an hour or so total), but I did manage to find the Kahr booth and visit again with Bob and a few others. Great group of guys. Mr. Moon was also there.
Where can we go to investigate getting certified as an NRA Instructor? Are they other such programs offered say in the Florida Area for such training? I am quickly approarching retirement and would like to get this taken care off in advance.
http://nrainstructors.org/
click on the "find a course" tab, select the instructor level class on the right column in which you want to take, enter your zip and mile radius, and then "search".
All new instructors are required to take an 8 hour Basic Instructor Training (BIT) class first, then he/she can get certified in as many of the disciplines as they choose. Make sure the class you intend to take (Pistol, Rifle, etc) also includes the BIT portion.
Thanks TD2K I appreciate the information & Link. I have another questions for you thiugh. How does one get the certification to teach the CCW Classes?
that is different for each state. Oklahoma recognizes NRA instructor courses, not sure about FL. I basically have to send in my NRA credentials and application to CLEET (the state's law enforcement training program), they will send me a certificate stating that I can be an SDA Instructor. Then I have to send THOSE credentials to the OSBI along with my application, fingerprints, passport photos, etc (just like I did for my conceal carry license) and wait for them to approve that and send me the instructor certification card. It'll probably take about 2 months overall, but I'll eventually get it.
Received my NRA cert about 2 weeks ago (THAT WAS FAST!), then yesterday my CLEET cert arrived. Now I have to send all of that, along with another application, to OSBI and wait again. Almost there though!!!
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/38/nracert.jpg
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/5456/cleetcert2.jpg
340pd
05-09-2012, 07:53 AM
Congratulations. Now check out the manufactures that will give you a discount if you use them for training. Kahr having one of the most generous. Ruger another.
yeah, I learned about Kahr's discounts at the SHOT show. They give a heck of a deal.
I plan to use my GSG 1911 .22 for the semi-auto portion, but need to pick up a decent .22 revolver. Would REALLY like to have both single and double action .22 revolvers. Might be able to get Rugers for that.
Tinman507
05-09-2012, 08:42 AM
Congrats lady!!
Now go forth and do good!
Thanks to TD2K I am signed up for the Pistol Instructors course in Florida. My class starts in two weeks over the weekend. I will be also taking the Rifle Course followed by the Range Safety Officer Course on line. I think I am going to be a busy boy in the not too distant future.
YAY!!!!
I still have to do the Range Safety Officer part, they gave us the packet after our pistol class. I just have to read through it, take the test, and send it in.
I plan to do rifle soon, just have to find a class and get signed up.
340pd
05-10-2012, 10:55 AM
RSO is a great course to take. Remember that your yearly renew for each of these will probably come due(all at once) at the same time with the NRA. It is about $6 per year per certificate. I just sent both of mine in.
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