Anyone have good experience with pistol classes in Simi Valley?

[NorCALSpeed]

I'm looking for a beginner pistol class that sets me up for intermediate and other classes. There's 5+ classes based in Simi Valley, all of which have strong Yelp and Google reviews (are all the reviews real? Unsure). Does anyone have personal experience with CA Tactical (now MB Tactical), Israeli Tactical Academy, True Aim ( I think their classes are 1-on-1 only), or MV Tactical?

I've shot a few steel matches but would love to reset to fundamentals of grip, stance, safety, etc.

Thanks!

 

[ikeo1]

If you have a local uspsa range, check out those places to see if they have locals teaching. You might find a Master class+ teaching for cheaper than a group tactical class. I’m not sure of that area but usually there’s comp shooters with teaching creds.

Personally I wouldn’t take a tactical class first now. I’d take that second, if you’re looking to learn how to shoot. Nothing wrong with tactical classes if you’re doing CQB but shooting fundamentals are slightly different

 

[ectocharging]

No experience with CA Tactical/MB Tactical's training. But I used to be a regular at their USPSA/outlaw clubs Deadwood Boys. I've shot a few times at the new club as well SoCal Practical Shooting.

As for instruction, Raven Wing Limited has some of the best instructors you can find in SoCal. Not only do they host high level instructors like JJ Racaza, Tim Herron, My Own Defender, MSP, and SlyTac... their instructors are all active USPSA/IDPA shooters. One of them is a GM that shoots for the LTT team. They just dropped their 2025 schedule and will have beginner classes in Sylmar in January and August 2025. I know I'm glazing hard but I just love the community that they built. It's been a great way to network, and also find people to squad with at matches.

 

[NorCALSpeed]

If you have a local uspsa range, check out those places to see if they have locals teaching. You might find a Master class+ teaching for cheaper than a group tactical class. I’m not sure of that area but usually there’s comp shooters with teaching creds.

Personally I wouldn’t take a tactical class first now. I’d take that second, if you’re looking to learn how to shoot. Nothing wrong with tactical classes if you’re doing CQB but shooting fundamentals are slightly different

Thanks! I definitely want to start with a beginner course, create a foundation, and work up. Seems like a lot of businesses name themselves "tactical" even if they offer beginner courses.

 

[ikeo1]

Thanks! I definitely want to start with a beginner course, create a foundation, and work up. Seems like a lot of businesses name themselves "tactical" even if they offer beginner courses.

It's also a style of training. This is why I'm advising to go to your local range first to seek out uspsa people. If you are able to find someone, it'll likely be cheaper and when you go to a tactical class you will be at the top of shooting fundamentals.

Tactical, means they train you for more than just shooting. Competition is the absolute basics of shooting in its simplest form. Nothing against tactical at all, just from what you said about prepping you for other classes, this will get you there faster and cheaper. You'll get more out of the classes once you take them.

 

[NorCALSpeed]

No experience with CA Tactical/MB Tactical's training. But I used to be a regular at their USPSA/outlaw clubs Deadwood Boys. I've shot a few times at the new club as well SoCal Practical Shooting.

As for instruction, Raven Wing Limited has some of the best instructors you can find in SoCal. Not only do they host high level instructors like JJ Racaza, Tim Herron, My Own Defender, MSP, and SlyTac... their instructors are all active USPSA/IDPA shooters. One of them is a GM that shoots for the LTT team. They just dropped their 2025 schedule and will have beginner classes in Sylmar in January and August 2025. I know I'm glazing hard but I just love the community that they built. It's been a great way to network, and also find people to squad with at matches.

I just booked their beginner course. Thanks a ton!

 

[ikeo1]

Raven wing hosting MSP up here in Richmond. Just met one of the owners of RW. You’re in good hands..

 

[hambam105]

What is your purpose for taking the training?

If you cannot answer this question then someone else will be glad answer it for you. Remember, annual group membership payments and class attendence doesn't equate to being the next Gun-Fighter-From-Hell.

Allow me to tell a story...

In High School there was this kid, lets call him George. He was too small to play football and too slow to play basketball. During wresting practice I'd always see George sitting at the front of class nursing a bloody nose. I don't know why because I never saw him on the mat.

Then along comes commercial taekwondo practice. George is discoverd by the right nation wide promoter. And suddenly George transitioned into the next Bruce Lee!

If you beleived the pulp magazine articles, the entire world, excluding the local high school athetes of course, was convinced that Burce Lee had in fact returned to earth as Geoge.

This academia story goes way way back to the olden days when the cheerleader sqaud was 100% real female. And most of those girls were physically strong. Many of them came with prequalifications in dance movement cordination drills. Obviously these athletic feats were perfected for the viewing audiences's entertainment only.

I dought if George was ever a credible match for anyone of those cheerleaders in a fair fight.

So if a shooting instructor's credentials are winning trophies, and your goal is competitive shooting, then absolutely go for it.