Female Instructor For My Wife

[RossA]

My wife has her CHL, and she can shoot fairly well. However, I would like to find a female instructor who can take her to the next level. Not competition level, but more comfortable and more able to use her pistol effectively.
I can, and have, taught her some things, but after a certain point a husband may just get in the way, and a good woman instructor who thinks like a woman and who can communicate like a woman might be better.
Any good female instructors like this in Houston? Thanks

[LarryH]

PSC (Pearland Shooting Club) has a monthly ladies' class (for women, taught by women, on the first Saturday of the month).

CompVest, of this forum, is one of the instructors.

[TxD]

PSC (Pearland Shooting Club) has a monthly ladies' class (for women, taught by women, on the first Saturday of the month).

CompVest, of this forum, is one of the instructors.

Yep.
That's were I'd send her.
Great instruction.
Great instructors.
Women only.
Send Compvest a PM and get all the info.

[RossA]

Thanks!

[ELB]

Another option: Vicki Farnam and a course that will occur the first weekend of March 2008.

John Farnam is a reasonably well known name in advanced self-defense circles, on par with Clint Smith, Massad Ayoob, Gunsite, etc.

His wife, Vicki also teaches, and in fact teaches the basic handgun self-defense course, and also has courses specifically for women. She and Diane Nicholl, another female instructor, have written and published two books on teaching women (specifically, female police officers, but the principles are the same) to shoot well. One book focuses on the female student, one on the instructor, male or female, of the female student. You and your wife may find these helpful. You can read about them and order them at: http://www.dtipubs.com/

ALSO, the Farnams will be teaching handgun courses in Victoria Texas on the first weekend of March 08. PM or email me if you are interested, I can put you in touch with the organizer in Victoria, or you can go directly to the Farnam's website ( http://defense-training.com/ ) and email them -- John is very good about returning emails. I would highly recommend either course, the basic or advanced to anyone, male or female, regardless of what you already know, or think you know. Vicki's course is not limited to females (you could go too, and I recommend it), but usually there are several ladies in a class of a dozen or fifteen students. Lotsa excellent techniques in administrative and tactical gunhandling, and plenty of shooting drills, including at night. I wrote up a description of both the basic and advanced courses on this forum at these links:


Basic
http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... f=8&t=7450

Advanced:
http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... f=8&t=7479

You don't get "shorted" if you go to the basic course -- both courses cover the same handgun material, just the advanced course goes faster, more emphasis on accurate speed, and the Victoria course usually includes a short familiarization section on shotgun and rifle.

Vicki is an excellent instructor for anyone, man or woman. She teaches regularly, and her students have included citizens, cops, and Marines on their way to Iraq (the Farnams teach pretty regularly at Marine bases).

Can't recommend Vicki and John enough.

Best wishes to you and your wife,

elb

[flintknapper]

My wife has her CHL, and she can shoot fairly well. However, I would like to find a female instructor who can take her to the next level. Not competition level, but more comfortable and more able to use her pistol effectively.
I can, and have, taught her some things, but after a certain point a husband may just get in the way, and a good woman instructor who thinks like a woman and who can communicate like a woman might be better.Any good female instructors like this in Houston? Thanks

An intelligent decision Sir!

[locknload]

It is interesting that you should post this at this time. BTW - You are a very intelligent man to realize that teaching someone you love is a difficult thing, at best, and can end in turmoil. I went to Sharon, below, for my teacher. She's one of the best, and I highly recommend her. Also, CompVest, Mary, and others at the PSC Women's Day that will be on 2/2/08 at 0830. It's a blast! Last month we learned so much and grew so much in our skills. Also, Sharon got me started on the NRA Pistol Shooter's Course. My DH and I finished that together, timing each other and helping each other. If you get along well and aren't critical of each other, and build each other up, then the NRA course together is a hoot! Of course, the two of us are like a couple of little kids in a candy store, when we're "doing" shooting, anyway. Making little holes in paper is too much fun!!!

So, given that info, I decided to do a mass mail out for all my girlfriends and their husbands, as I don't want them to have the kind of trouble that got me into all of this. I'd love to see them avoid the trauma.

So, here is the e-mail that I sent out today to my entire list:

"Hi, I'm sending this out to my entire list in the Houston area. If you're a guy and getting this, obviously it's for your wife or girlfriend ... not both! Please, send it on.

As I was confronted by the pervert in the Ladies' Room of the Dollar Cinema, I realized that the cell phone that I carried to protect myself by calling 9-1-1 was virtually useless. Can you imagine me telling a man that couldn't speak a word of English, who had rape on his mind, "Hold that thought while I dial 9-1-1 and call the Police for help, and if you don't mind, Sir, wait until they arrive to arrest you, before you attack me, por favor!" I'd have been better off throwing the dang thing at him and hoping that I could run past him to the door, while he ducked! That was when I realized that I had to take control of my own safety and defense, because the Police cannot protect me and are there only to take the report AFTER the rape. That's when my husband bought me a gun. However, that was only the start. Carrying it safely and legally for defense is a responsibility that not all are willing or able to take on. How do you know? How can you defend yourself, while not hurting yourself and/or others that you don't intend to hurt? Which gun is right for you? Where can you carry, and where is it illegal to carry? All of these questions and many more were answered for me in my CHL class and at the PSC Women's Program. Plus, I gained much needed support, skill, and confidence in my own ability to defend myself, if the need ever again arises. More importantly, I learned when NOT to pull a gun and when not to shoot. I also learned that the very fact that a woman has a gun and is prepared to use it to defend herself can be as much a deterrent to an attack as she needs. In addition, the CHL class taught me valuable skills in de-escalating a dangerous situation, so that no one has to get hurt. I highly recommend these classes.

Considering the recent rape of a woman at a gas station on FM 270 and FM 518, I thought that you all might like some info on how to get self-defense training in a non-threatening, fun setting. Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHL's) are tabulated by the Texas DPS according to Zip Code. Last year Zip Code 77573 (League City) was issued 414 CHL's, more than any other Zip Code in Texas. The year before, we were issued 298. The largest number of CHL's in the State went to 61 year olds. The next largest to 60 year olds. With the majority of CHL's going to ages between 55 and 65, statewide. Those statistics should be telling us something about how safe we feel in League City and how safe elderly folks feel in Texas. Elderly women are most often the victims of violent crime from strangers, yet more CHL's go to men. Women are the least likely to report violent crimes against them, yet more women are attending self-defense classes in record numbers, according to reports from CHL instructors and women's defense class instructors.

Here is where I go for self-defense classes, and I invite you to join me. It's for women only, taught by women. A friendly, fun, safe environment, where you can ask any question you like and be taken seriously. See you Saturday, 2/2 at 0845!!



PSC SHOOTING CENTER


A program for women interested in personal defense and more.
Taught by women, in a safe nonthreatening environment.
Aimed at all levels of shooters from novice to advanced.
The program includes instruction in safe gun handling and shooting skills.

WHERE
Range 2A

WHEN
8:45 AM to NOON - 1st Saturday of each month - 2008

Jan-5 Feb-2 Mar-1 Apr-5 May-3 Jun-7

Jul-5 Aug-2 Sep-6 Oct-4 Nov-1 Dec-6

COST
$10 for PSC members
$15 for non-PSC members

EQUIPMENT
Bring your own handgun, ammo (no reloads), belt, holster, and hearing and eye protection.
A sturdy belt is manditory.
or
PSC will provide equipment for you: (.22 Ruger, ammo, hearing and eye protection).
Instructors will have a collection of loaner holsters available.

CREATURE COMFORTS
Soft drink machine, water fountain, clean restrooms, and shade on range 2A.

SPREAD THE WORD! WE GUARANTEE A GOOD TIME!

FOR MAP AND DIRECTIONS TO PSC or FOR MORE INFORMATION:

http://WWW.PSC-RANGE.COM

RSVP
sharon@psc-range.com



I really hope this helps.

[RossA]

Thanks for the great replies. I will probably also go to get some additional instruction, but for the time being I think it's best for the two of us to go separately so she doesn't think I'm looking over her shoulder and she can relax and just follow her instructor's leads. Also, I don't want to be too embarrassed if she does better than me!

[kitty]

I am so jealous that there are good women instructors down there in Houston. There isn't anything like that up here in DFW, and if there is I haven't been able to find it. I know someone is working on getting something going, so I'm waiting patiently. I may just have to make a trip to Houston to take one of those classes, it would be worth it.

[QB]

kitty -- you are correct. There is nothing here in the DFW area anywhere close to what Houston has for women. I did recently get a handout from a woman who works (or owns/runs) Elm Fork (not sure if it's still called that) and she seemed very nice. I believe there is a also woman there that gives lessons for trap/skeet/shotgun sports??? The only other woman working in the gun ranges I've ever run across was one that gave my CHL renewal course and I was embarassed at the presentation (or lack thereof) and the entire time thought what a poor message she was sending to the guys in my class.

Sounds as if Houston has fantastic opportunities for women handgun shooters. I don't know if it's because Dallas is so conservative, so anti-gun, or what....but there's just nothing that I've found. Bullet Trap in Plano has/had "womens night" on Wednesday and when I found out about it I went. Not one woman shooter there....but then again, I believe it was just a discounted price, not any type of class, group, casual get together type thing.

The Divas are in the DFW area but their agenda does not fit my "gunstyle" so that group is out for me.

I, too, am waiting to see what materializes in the DFW area and if enough women support it.....

[SRVA]

I'll bet if you ladies in the DFW area were to ask real nice, Compvest and her partners would be really pleased to help you get something started.

[LarryH]

I'll bet if you ladies in the DFW area were to ask real nice, Compvest and her partners would be really pleased to help you get something started.

It's on another thread, but she has already volunteered.

[ELB]

I am so jealous that there are good women instructors down there in Houston. There isn't anything like that up here in DFW, and if there is I haven't been able to find it. ...

Sounds like there are a couple open niches for a) female instructors, and/or b) organized group of female shooters who could practice together and import female instructors. Would take a couple dedicate female shooters to get it going..you know, the kind that like to get their CHLs, and want to get better, and hang out at TexasCHLforum...

elb

[QB]

You know that's exactly what I'd LOVE to do. Right now I don't have the time due to heavy business travel and taking care of my elderly parents. But I plan on retiring in 2 years and trying to get a women's gun group going at some range (I prefer indoor and have NEVER even shot at an outdoor range) would be great. I'd even like to get certified as an NRA instructor.

But that's down the road for me. I did see the other thread and will certainly participate in anything that is organized here.

[DoubleActionCHL]

My wife is a female CHL instructor and we have a Ladies Only class coming up February 9th in the Willowbrook area of Houston. Check out our website or give us a call if you're interested.