Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong section... I'm not sure exactly where I should put it.

Next year I'd like to enroll in a novice carbine class. I was wondering if anyone had any local recommendations (I'm in NOVA) or know of any other good classes anywhere else in the state. I know of the level I, II, and III courses at Silver Eagle Group. It's looking like that's what I'll try (level I) since I can't find anything else in the area.

If anyone has any experience/recommendations I'd greatly appreciate your feedback.

Call Hatfield's Gunsmithing, he runs a class. CCJA runs them, too, but they're in Richmond.

Thanks! I'll look into those. I don't mind a drive.

Check out G4SITI in West Point, VA. They offer pistol and carbine classes. www.g4siti.com

Let us know what you find out! I'm interested also...

mustang, did you ever take a class at SEG?

I took the Defensive Carbine 1 class at Silver Eagle Group earlier this year and enjoyed it a lot. Most of the students were running ARs, including a 7.5" AR SBR that was really loud (thank goodness for double hearing protection), one guy ran a SCAR, and I ran my MP5 clone.

The course included some lectures (PowerPoint presentations) covering the basics of gun safety, how carbines work and what the different parts are, a high level discussion on self defense laws and finally MINDSET. I particularly liked the mindset discussions.

We also practiced some drills on the range including how to zero your sights; shooting from prone, kneeling and standing; turning and shooting; mag changes; and immediate action drills (clearing a double-feed, failure to feed, etc.)

The instructors were good guys, ex-special forces so they had some pretty neat stories, too. I recommend the course especially for the drills that you can practice whenever you go to the range. Well, maybe not the turning and shooting drills -- the guys in the lanes next to you might not appreciate that.

programmatore,

my only hesitation with the SEG class is that it's over a 2 week period. I think I would prefer a single 8 hour day instead of 4 2hr sessions. How was it for you?

It was spread out when I took it but I actually liked it that way. There was a lot of material to cover and we went over the allotted time almost every class. I'm not sure you could get through all the material in one 8 hour class.

The class I took was in the evening so the only downside was that I was working in DC at the time so I had to leave work at rush hour, go home -- since I can't bring my MP5 with me to DC, then drive all the way to Ashburn. If you work close to SEG then it might not be an issue.

I also took the carbine class at Sig Sauer Academy when I first got my SIG 516. That class was taught out of Range 82 in Midland, VA. That was a one day class and it was okay -- the lecture portion ran long so we didn't get to do any drills except zeroing our ARs. The SEG carbine class was better, in my opinion.

thanks for the input!

Practical Firearms Training in Alderson West Virginia for defensive handgun,tactical rifle, tactical shotgun,precision rifle. Trainers of military personel,law enforcement, swat, and the general public.check them out on the web. Top of the line instructors and staff, resonably priced, be prepared to train hard, and love every minute of it.

We haven't scheduled it yet, but we plan to run an NRA Basic Rifle class later this year, if you are looking for something like that.

I second the recommendation for Pat Goodales Practical Firearms Training (www.pgpft.com). Another great trainer that teaches both pistol and carbines is John Murphy in Culpepper (www.fpftraining.com). You would do very well with either.