TexasCHLforum.com

The basic tactical rifle class taught at College of the Mainland (com.edu) in Texas City.

It's offered a few times/year, runs M/Tu/Wed 6-10pm, costs all of $207, and includes all ammunition! First evening is classroom coverage of the AR platform, differences in the trigger group & bolt between semi-auto, burst, and full auto, tear down, cleaning, and assembly, then sighting in all the students' rifles on the 50 yard indoor range. The second & third evenings are all on the range, working through a curriculum that's well designed around step by step building blocks of fundamentals. He isn't just focused on *how* to shoot and run a rifle, but being thoughtful and mindful about *when* to shoot.

Dan Blackford does a great job balancing a strong emphasis on safety and best practices, without taking himself too seriously. We also got a teaser experience with the first person video simulator, which was fantastic. I'm definitely planning on signing up for the simulator class, and bringing my girlfriend to that as well. It's all of $70!

I really think that the program Dan's running at COM is a hidden gem here in greater Houston. No need to spend four figures on airfare, hotel, rental car, restaurants, ammo, and tuition to go off to Thunder Ranch or some such when these classes are right down the road. I just ran the rifle class for the third time, this week. Last time, there was a gentleman who'd driven all the way from Oklahoma to take the class, and said that he'd do it again in a heartbeat.