Trainer Recommendations Near Tulsa

[Jackson-IN]

Hi there OK people. I don't live in Oklahoma but have a friend in Tulsa who I'd like to give some pistol training as a birthday gift. She does NOT currently have her OK CCW permit. So first I'd like to get her in to an SDA eligible course so she can get it. The closer to Tulsa, the better. If anyone can recommend a good instructor for this in or near Tulsa that would be a great first step.

I don't know what exactly the SDA training classes cover, but I'm not sure they are as robust as I have in mind. So I'd also like to get her in to a good concealed carry or defensive pistol course. A course that will provide a solid base in the fundamentals of marksmanship and gun handling skills (holster work, reloading, malfunction reduction, etc). If the course covers topics like holster selection, carry considerations, use of force decision making or legal considerations, all the better. I think the priority though is solid treatment of gun handling skills and ample range time to be comfortable with the pistol. I'm thinking a one, or at max, two day weekend course within driving distance of the Tulsa area would be preferred so she doesn't have to stay overnight somewhere.

A few folks over at ingunowners.com have given me names of some Rangemaster certified instructors that are relatively close. I plan to contact them and see what they offer or can recommend. Also, I see that Spencer Keepers is near OKC. Though I've never met or trained with him, I'm aware of him generally through the training community. Is there anyone else I should be looking at? Or anyone right in Tulsa that you guys can point me to? I don't want to send her to some yahoo behind the counter at the local gun store.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[John Zane]

contact TDSA. For advanced training Marshal Lutton and his team are top notch.
For SDA class which is not training Contact 2A shooting center or ATAP both are great.

 

[Jackson-IN]

If the SDA class is not training, should one take training before attending the SDA class? Is there a qualification of some sort?

When I said I didn't know exactly what was covered in the SDA class I should have said "I know absolutely nothing about the SDA class". :-)

 

[indi]

+1 for TDSA!!

 

[SPDguns]

TDSA all the way

 

[Annie]

If the SDA class is not training, should one take training before attending the SDA class? Is there a qualification of some sort?

When I said I didn't know exactly what was covered in the SDA class I should have said "I know absolutely nothing about the SDA class". :-)

Yes. I used to teach SDA classes and she needs to be familiar with how her gun functions and know the basics of shooting BEFORE she takes the SDA class.

Also, she needs to do more training after. The SDA class only makes sure she understands the information in the booklet (legal stuff mostly) and that she can operate her firearm in a safe manner.

In the couple of years I worked with the other instructors and signed off on certs, we only failed a couple of people, both for not following instructions during the range portion of class and sweeping classmates and instructors with a loaded firearm. Interestingly enough, they were both old men who were adamant they were "exceptional" gun handlers.

I'll second -- or third -- TDSA for training BEFORE she takes her SDA class. It will NOT be a waste of your money or her time.

 

[Gunbuffer]

tdsa. in fact, you should go with her. wont regret it

 

[Jackson-IN]

tdsa. in fact, you should go with her. wont regret it

I'd love to, but unfortunately it's just not possible right now. I do take advantage of many training opportunities closer to me and some that I travel for. I find significant value in it, and that's why I'm funding it for her.

 

[Jackson-IN]

Yes. I used to teach SDA classes and she needs to be familiar with how her gun functions and know the basics of shooting BEFORE she takes the SDA class.

Also, she needs to do more training after. The SDA class only makes sure she understands the information in the booklet (legal stuff mostly) and that she can operate her firearm in a safe manner.

In the couple of years I worked with the other instructors and signed off on certs, we only failed a couple of people, both for not following instructions during the range portion of class and sweeping classmates and instructors with a loaded firearm. Interestingly enough, they were both old men who were adamant they were "exceptional" gun handlers.

I'll second -- or third -- TDSA for training BEFORE she takes her SDA class. It will NOT be a waste of your money or her time.

Thanks very much for your input. Would you be able to tell me more about the SDA class content and the format of the qualification?

It looks like almost everyone is recommending TDSA. That's a good sign. Out of curiosity, have those of you who recommend TDSA trained many other places to have a wide basis for comparison? Not that I don't value the opinions. I'm very grateful. It just gives them some context.

Thank you again for all the help

 

[Annie]

Thanks very much for your input. Would you be able to tell me more about the SDA class content and the format of the qualification?

It looks like almost everyone is recommending TDSA. That's a good sign. Out of curiosity, have those of you who recommend TDSA trained many other places to have a wide basis for comparison? Not that I don't value the opinions. I'm very grateful. It just gives them some context.

Thank you again for all the help

Sure. Here's the pdf for the SDA booklet they will cover in class. There is ALWAYS some goober who monopolizes class time with "high speed, low drag" scenarios so he can stroke his own ego, so it will certainly help her to study the material beforehand.

OKLAHOMA SELF-DEFENSE ACT
www.ok.gov/osbi/documents/SDA_LAW_BOOK.pdf

Here's the link to the online application:

https://pay.apps.ok.gov/osbi/sda/app/index.php

It should be pretty self-explanatory. The class is 8 hours long -- half of it classroom instruction, that will cover the information in the booklet. The other half is the shooting portion -- it will involve shooting 50 rounds, 10 rounds at a time. She will need to demonstrate safe gun-handling and will need to be familiar with how to her gun functions and the basics of markmanship.

You would be shocked at how many times I had to deal with people attempting to load the bullets BACKWARDS in the magazine, the magazine BACKWARDS in the gun, and had no clue how to grip their gun, find their sights or were shocked when they experienced the recoil from their gun. Please don't let the first time she fires her gun be at that SDA class. She will be stressed out as it is. Not knowing how her gun works or how to find the sight and fire at a target will just make it all so much worse.

The shooting portion of the class is NOT to see how good a marksman she is. It is so she can demonstrate to the instructors that she is familiar with the SAFE handling of a firearm. Nothing more, nothing less. It is basically impossible to flunk this portion of the test. All she needs to do is follow the instructors directions and to keep her gun pointed down range at all times.

I've trained with several guys here in the City, and at USSA in Tulsa. My husband has trained with instructors here in OKC, Mike Seeklander, Bobby out in Grandfield and at USSA. I believe he has been at firearms training with Marshall Luton (TDSA) but I'm not sure if it was a class open to the public, or if it was in association with his CLEET stuff when he was with OHP.

I can tell you neither of us were particularly happy with the training we paid for here in OKC, except for a couple of guys who are now retired from training. I'm not naming names because the firearms community is extremely small and every instructor has his share of retreads who rabidly defend their favorite instructor's training tactics and I'm not interested in dealing with the BS.