Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hellow VGOFers

After a bit of a hiatus, I'm back! And with a brand new gun.



It's a bit of a franken gun. Stag Lower, Spikes LPK, MOE stock kit, Rainier bolt, BCM Gunfighter Mod 4 charging handle, and a Daniel Defense 16" Lightweight mid-length upper. For sights I've got an EOTech 512 with a GG&G mount and a Magpul MBUS.

I went shooting today and I've come to a realization. I need some instruction. I haven't shot a rifle bigger than a .22 in almost two years. I'm in need of some instruction. Can anyone point me in the right direction for an instructor near Harrisonburg?

Nice weapon! I can't help you with instructors, but if it's too much for you, I'll gladly let you give it to me!

Get to an Appleseed. So far they're being conducted several places in Virginia.

The nearest to you may be out in Buckingham County on a private range. Here is a link to the dates and registration page.
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=20977.0</td><td>

Another location a bit farther from you is at Montpelier, VA. Here is a link to the dates and registration page.
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=20976.0</td><td>

Here's a link to a page describing things to bring to get the most out of your weekend.
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=8162.0

And a .22 would be best (if you go bring your AR15 as well as you can use it some - heck you can use it all weekend if you can affort to feed it as most Appleseeds will consume 200 to 300 rounds of ammo over the two days) due to the cost of ammo. The fundamentals of riflemarksmanship can be taught/learned shooting at 25 meters with a rimfire.

No matter what they (appleseed) say or what you hear, they are friendly and supportive and will treat you no different if you have a scope on your rifle.

I put a scope on my M1A back in the late 70's and its always been there. No one said a thing to me when I went to my first Appleseed and that was back near the beginning of the program (Sept. 2006).

However, it is nice to learn to shoot and adjust your iron sights in case your electrical/optical sights fail at some point and you have to rely on them.

You will want a GI web sling on your rifle, hearing protection, elbow pads, a shooting mat/pad, etc. Be sure to read the list on what to bring. If you don't have the right personal protective equipment it can be a long and frustrating weekend and you won't get as much out of the instruction or practice if you're in pain from sunburn, raw skin, bug bites, cold, etc. You won't believe how much you'll learn from it. Its not a carbine course, its not CQB, its just fundamental rifle marksmanship training along with a does of history.

I dont have personal experience here, but I have heard good things about http://www.centralvirginiatactical.com/

ProShooter wrote:I dont have personal experience here, but I have heard good things about http://www.centralvirginiatactical.com/

I know the guy who runs that. Seriously good. However, I didn't think he did anything other than precision rifle.

CCJA has classes if you don't mind driving east a ways. Carbine, pistol, shotgun classes. They come highly recommended. I'm going to one of their classes after it cools down a bit.

Jim

jrswanson1 wrote:CCJA has classes if you don't mind driving east a ways. Carbine, pistol, shotgun classes. They come highly recommended. I'm going to one of their classes after it cools down a bit.

Jim

For those of us who are ignorant about that acronym. Can you spell it out for us please. Did a google search and came up with Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. Now personally I think that would be a cool school combining Jazz and marksmanship, but I got a feeling I am looking in the wrong spot.

totes6 wrote:

jrswanson1 wrote:CCJA has classes if you don't mind driving east a ways. Carbine, pistol, shotgun classes. They come highly recommended. I'm going to one of their classes after it cools down a bit.

Jim

For those of us who are ignorant about that acronym. Can you spell it out for us please. Did a google search and came up with Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. Now personally I think that would be a cool school combining Jazz and marksmanship, but I got a feeling I am looking in the wrong spot.

Commonwealth Criminal Justice Academy. I typed CCJA into Google and it come up as the first listing.