How do I become a firearms instructor?

[Greg-Dawg®]

Most of us love guns and passionate about proficient handling especially in defensive situations, so why not do it for a living or at least a weekend gig?

So CCWI, how'd you become an instructor or anyone else want to chime in with your thoughts?

I've read though the NRA, but would like to have other specialties like CCW or night shooting, etc. I've taken course from other instructors that are non-military or LEO experience; would that be a criteria for a good reputation/reference?

Anyone ever investigated this? Thanks.

[DONNER]

There are many different types of certifications for firearms instructor. For instance in CA, the BSIS certifies firearms instructors for security guards, DOJ (IIRC)for CCW.
I'll deal with NRA certification:
Since you have read the prerequisites on the NRA site, you need to find an NRA Training Counselor who is certified in the area you want to teach, e.g. Pistol. There are 6 different disciplines, including pistol, rifle, shotgun, RSO, reloading and Personal Protection.

You attend a course (the NRA pistol instructor course is 17 hours/2 days), demonstrate proficiency with the firearms and pass a couple of written tests then wait 4-6 weeks for your certification to arrive in the mail. At that point you are good to go.

If you have more questions, email or PM me. Instructing can be a lot of fun and very rewarding.

[Greg-Dawg®]

Thanks DONNER. I see this is your 3rd post...Welcome to the site!

[DONNER]

I appreciate the welcome. I lurk a lot, since I'm in L.A. not much changes to comment on. I was glad to shed some light on your question, tho.

[MuscleGirl]

Funny that you start this thread, because I was just thinking about this the other day. I agree though, if it is your passion and you're good at it, why not teach others?

However, my experience feels so inferior next to the resumes of some (OK, a lot) of the instructors out there! I also feel like I'd have to be startling accurate to be credible as an instructor... so off I go for more range time!

[tikifrei]

I think you would want to work under the best firearms instructor you can find. Ask them for a job, but be upfront that your intentions are to learn to be an instructor so that there are no hard feelings down the line. Then watch and learn. Then get all the certs you can like Donner suggested. I am sure there will be insurance requirements as well.

Like most things in life I am sure it sounds fun and easy to be an instructor, but if you are serious about it...I think it would take years before someone would be ready to go out on their own. But, if it's your passion....the time will fly by.

Just my $.02

[sealbeach]

deleted by me

[El Gato]

I would highly reccomend the NRA instructor courses as a first step. First time clients often opt for NRA First Steps class. It is a great opportunity to hone your skills as an instructor. There is a great host of people out there how DO NOT WANT TO TAKE NINJA WARRIOR COURSES ... they want to learn how to shoot their firearm.. safely and with good target shooting technique... and maybe a little self defense added in.

Someone like CCWInstructor has been in the buisness for years and can populate the more self defense oriented courses... which is very difficult to do IMHO

SWMBO... gets more satisfaction when she teaches the first steps course than any course she teaches... helping a new shooter go slow and then begin to have fun with the gun that they were scared of a few hours before, is a real job satisfaction meter pegger... is that a term? anyone? anyone?

I would say go to a training counselor and get the handgun instructor card, get some insurance from the NRA and then work with the local NRA or CRPA affilliated club to mentor with some of their teachers. Learn the ropes and then branch out... there is immense job satisfaction to be found in that route.

As to NINJA warrior stuff... .... lots of interest if you are Thunder Ranch, Gunsite, Uncle Scotty or Greg (good company I'm putting you in with here)... you will draw a crowd... I have watched a number of competant instructors who dropped out of the business cause they couldn't make a living... Chuck Taylor did a class here recently and they had trouble filling the class... and Chuck is like... famous or something...

My bread and Butter is Security and CCW training... which pays for the ability to do the stuff which is really satisfying... teaching new people to shoot!

I would stay with the teaching the people to shoot stuff.. start slow...have fun... bring smiles to the faces of those you teach... and then people will slowly start looking for you...seeking you for instruction...

That's my two cents worth...

By the way... we got our NRA instructors cert from: AllSafe Defense Systems

I don't know what folks think about TJ in the OC... but he is highly regarded around here as someone who knows how to teach people to teach people... if that makes sense...

[DONNER]

I totally agree that there is a large group of citizens who would benefit from excellent basic firearms training. I have been doing various kinds of instructing (up to university level) for 40 years and the most important thing I have learned is that "early learning is strong learning." The first things they are taught is what they will do when the heat is on. That is what makes high quality, grass roots instruction so very important. The NRA emphasizes safety first, standardized instruction and basic techniques. Not a bad plan!

Once you get into the advanced areas, there are many different (and valid) approaches. Front Sight, Thunder Ranch, Gabe Suarez and on and on. But they all build on the basic fundamentals which the NRA does very well. The lesson plans for all disciplines are standardized and very well developed.

I'm sure there are several Basic Pistol Instructor courses available in the SOCAL area (including mine Southwest Firearms Training) during the next few weeks.

Check them out and if you have questions, you can email, PM or call me or one of the other Training Counselors on the forum.

There is no greater gratification than seeing a novice have success at the range! DO IT.

[cksh8me]

I've been a certified NRA instructor for years along with an RSO, home firearms safety and personal protection.

I am comfortable teaching people how to shoot and I have helped many improve their skills.

I haven't been there or done that so I won't teach people tactics, or home defense or personal protection.

I wouldn't take a class in those areas unless the instructor has been there and seen the elephant.

Good luck

[FireControlman]

Good post. I for one have been interested in starting out with getting NRA certified. I'm an Anti-Terrorism Training Supervisor with the U.S. Navy, it's hard to get into the Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor course here when we already have a few senior instructors in house. Eventually, I'll get in the course but wouldn't mind adding to my creds a few civilian instructor courses. You get a whole lot of buy-in from students when you bring in skills from outside the DoN.