Well, that depends. If you want to learn to shoot a revolver, rifle, AR, or shotgun, you will have to take a lesson because we do not run classes for those firearms.

If you would like to learn to shoot a semi-auto handgun, here are the pros and cons of each option.

GROUP CLASS ADVANTAGES:

  1. We spend more time on knowledge of the types of firearms and how they work, and on the different calibers of ammunition (about 2 hours in the classroom vs 40–50 minutes for a private lesson).
  2. If you are sociable at all, this is the class for you! You reap the advantages of other people asking questions that you might not have thought to ask or were too afraid to ask.
  3. Shooting (range) time is about 2 hrs. We divide the students into 2 groups, and one group shoots while the other observes. This means you get breathing space between sets and you learn from observing others’ mistakes.
  4. The class is about $50 less expensive than the 2-hr newbie private lesson (as of 10/2024).
  5. Even if you have a firearm, generally all semi-autos operate the same way. Some people take the group lesson, then follow up with a private lesson using the firearm they own to learn the peculiarities of their particular firearm.
  6. If you can find 5 others who can take the class on the same evening as you, we can create a private class for your group!

PRIVATE LESSON ADVANTAGES:

  1. As we mentioned, if you want to learn to shoot a revolver, rifle, AR, or shotgun, you will have to take a lesson because we do not run classes for those firearms.
  2. A private lesson can USUALLY be scheduled within 2 weeks. Group classes are scheduled once a month on a Friday night. If you’ve just missed the scheduled class, you will have to wait a month or so.
  3. Private lessons are scheduled during our regular hours. Friday night from 5 to 9pm (group class hours) may not be your cup of tea.
  4. If you have a friend (or friends) of the same ability level and interested in the same type of firearm (shotgun, semi-auto, revolver) and level (beginner, malfunctions, holster draw etc.) of instruction, you can combine your lessons together and learn with your buddy! This gives you more breathing room and enables you to learn from your friend’s mistakes and/or questions.
  5. If you already have a gun, you can ask specific questions about your gun. Also, if you find that the one you’ve brought doesn’t fit you well, the private lesson includes a free rental; we can help you choose from our rental wall of almost 100 firearms! You will be required to purchase the ammunition from us for insurance purposes.