My CCW Classes are full up....

[Adam Helmer]

I am a Certified Firearms Instructor in all disciplines. My current activity is handgun training and business is good. Some folks seek instruction before they buy a handgun and others buy a handgun and want to learn how to use it for CCW or home defense; both are valid pursuits.

For those seeking a first handgun, I opt for a double action revolver with adjustable sights in caliber .38 Special. Any person who ever fired a cap gun or water pistol can successfully employ a DA revolver. Some current semi-auto handguns have a confusing array of decocking levers, safties, etc., that confuse a novice under stress. Under stress, keep it simple.

Many novices are self conscious and a public range is a poor place to conduct initial training because other shooters may offer advice. Also, the other shooters are distracting. Fortunately, I have a hilly wooded farm of 60 acres where my 7 ranges accommodate training. My novice classes are small, the B-27 silhouette target is close at 5 yards and sessions are short.

Initial shooting is with a DA .22 revolver. The student always has eye and ear protection and I often use the "Ball & Dummy" drill of loading the revolver with an empty chamber or two to detect flinches. Later sessions see the B-27 moved to 7 and then 10 yards.

PA has over 500,000 CCW people. I like to think I helped a few along the way.

Adam