Looking for a few tips
 

So, a quick run down. I've owned my gun, a Makarov, for about 12 years or so (I put a picture of her up on the gun porn thread) , but haven't really had a chance to take her out shooting much. 9 years of that she was entrusted to the care of one of my friends while I was stationed overseas. After I returned home and got her back I was unable to take her out shooting due to the rear sites being knocked loose. A couple weeks ago I finally got her back in working order, and finished my CCW class. I currently keep her on me and unloaded when I am home, trying to get used to carrying again, but I have no plans on taking her out and about until I have put at least a couple hundred rounds through her at the range, and am much more comfortable with my skills. Until I am fully familiar with her again, I am more of a danger to myself and the ones I want to protect then anyone else.

Other then the obvious option of simply hitting the range and putting lead on target until I am able to reliably hit what I want, I was wondering what advice I could gleam from some of you guys here who are way more hardcore then I'll ever be. :) Any recommendations on good (but affordable, I'm on a tight budget) training courses in the Arizona area (Tucson, to narrow it down), or just helpful advice from your own years of experience? Any input on how to help me better protect my family is welcome.

As far as training courses go, what's your budget? Front Site is over in Las Vegas, and Gunsite (Col. Cooper's "baby") is in Paulden, AZ. Not cheap, but worth it.

No suggestions, but i applaud your initiative and responsibility.:thumbsup:

Dunedan- At this point, pretty much anything over a 100 bucks is a major investment for me. Hurray for being a broke college student with kids. I'm not looking to be one of those "all tactical all the time" guys(at least not until I'm done with school and can treat myself. :) ) just looking for some solid everyday safety and use classes to take.

Ilow- Thanks. I had the "Rambo syndrome" beat out of me long ago. In some cases literally. If it was just me, I probably wouldn't be near as worried about things, and just spend lot's of time shooting at things in the desert, but with kids, let's just say I want to make damn sure I have all bases covered.

I'm confused as to what you mean by this.

LOL, nothing bad meant. I know a few people who are very very die hard about their guns and seem to be off to some sort of shooting camp or something ever other month. Most of it seems pretty fun to me, and the training would be nice. Little bit out of my price range and not sure the family life style I have here would mesh well with that many trips though. Though once money is better, and the boys are older and don't need so much hands on supervision, A weekend of heavy shooting might be in the works as a treat to myself.