BuyaBullet | Pro-Tips
Source: BuyaBullet Corporation
When it comes to firearms, responsible handling and safety are paramount. Whether you’re a new gun owner eager to learn, or a veteran sportsman looking to sharpen your skills, finding the right instructor is crucial. Unfortunately, not all who claim the title of firearm "instructor" are equals.
Here, we’ll dive into the green, yellow, and red flags we’ve compiled in our years of experience hiring instructors and working within the industry, to help BuyaBullet customers better identify capable firearm safety instructors.
GREEN FLAGS:
The Hallmarks of a Great Instructor
A "green flag" signifies a positive indicator that the instructor is capable and prioritizes safety, professionalism, and effective teaching.
Emphasizes Safe Handling of Firearms and Ammunition: A top-tier instructor will consistently speak to, demonstrate, and educate their students on the priority of safety. This means focusing on how to handle firearms and ammunition properly, assuring good range rules for student safety. They integrate these safety practices into every part and phase of their teaching.
Demonstrates and Performs Skills on Demand: Your instructor should not only talk the talk but also walk the walk. They should be able to demonstrate the very techniques they are teaching—and perform them on demand, without the need for extensive warm-up. This level of proficiency shows real-world capability as their expertise.
Clear Instructional Goals and Measurable Progress: A great instructor will set specific goals and objectives tailored to your needs. They'll outline a clear plan for how to achieve those goals and provide ways to measure your progress. This structured approach keeps the lessons focused and results-driven.
Prioritizes Your Learning Experience: The right instructor will focus their time and energy on their students. Their mission is to help their students improve, offering guidance, tips, and instruction that are uniquely suited to the student's experience and skills. It's not about the instructor—it’s all about the student.
Starts with Low-Recoil Ammunition: Especially for beginners, instructors should start with low-recoil ammunition to help their student get comfortable with handling a firearm. For handguns and rifles, this could be .22LR; and birdshot for shotguns. This helps reduce the intimidation factor that allows for better learning.
YELLOW FLAGS:
Proceed with Caution
While not necessarily deal-breakers, these yellow flags warrant caution. They may indicate that the instructor is not as qualified or may have some misguided ideas about firearm safety and instruction.
No Formal Training or Certification: While many excellent instructors come from diverse backgrounds, a complete lack of formal training is a yellow flag. Instructors should understand firearm safety and handling from a structured program, and they should be willing to share where they gained their qualifications.
Leaning on Years of Shooting Experience Alone: Just because someone has been "shooting since they were a kid" or pulling triggers for many years doesn’t necessarily make them skilled and capable or a good instructor. Experience with firearms doesn’t automatically translate to teaching ability. Instructors must have the skills to pass on their knowledge effectively and safely.
Using Firearm Ownership as a Credential: Owning multiple firearms or being passionate about them is not the same as understanding the complexities of firearm safety and instruction. Be wary of instructors who tout their gun collection as their primary qualification.
Bringing Too Many Firearms to an Introductory Lesson: For new shooters, simplicity is key. A reputable instructor will use one or two firearms to teach the basics, keeping it simple and focused on fundamentals. If they turn the session into a "show and tell" with a large variety of guns, it can be overwhelming and unproductive for the student.
RED FLAGS:
Avoid Even When Low Cost
If you encounter any of these red flags, it’s best to walk away. These are major warning signs that the instructor could be putting your safety and the safety of others at risk.
Disregards Basic Firearm Safety Methods: Any instructor who downplays or dismisses the importance of basic firearm safety practices should be avoided. Proper safety precautions are non-negotiable, and an instructor who doesn't prioritize safety can put you in dangerous situations.
Fails to Provide Eye and Ear Protection: Safety equipment like eye and ear protection is critical. If an instructor doesn’t bring or encourage the use of these essentials, they’re neglecting the most basic principles of safe firearm handling.
Lacks Concern for Target Backstop Safety: A professional instructor will always ensure that the area behind the target (the ‘backstop’) is safe. They should never set up in a place where there’s no proper backstop, such as a dirt berm, or where bullets could potentially strike trees, bodies of water, or other unsafe materials.
Disregards Potential Danger to Wildlife or People: A major red flag is an instructor who is careless about the surroundings, including wildlife or other people. Firing toward an area where animals or humans could be present without confirming it's clear shows reckless behavior.
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