Ranges Don't like New Instructors

[TexasGal]

I'm just wondering why many folks that decide to get their instructor's certification don't investigate and find a place that will let them hold their shooting qualification before getting the instructor's certificate? It would seem to me like having a place to shoot would be critical to my ability hold a CHL class.

I think lots of people do not realize ahead of time that most of the public ranges are only public until you want to qualify someone there. I had a place to both teach and qualify, but it didn't work out with the owner. Nobody says we will always be treated fairly in this world, so I am just checking to see if there is a place on this side of town I don't know about. I sure would like to hear from a land owner who is interested in putting up a big berm for us lost chickens. He could probably make a fair income just letting instructors qualify there.

[sjfcontrol]

I'm just wondering why many folks that decide to get their instructor's certification don't investigate and find a place that will let them hold their shooting qualification before getting the instructor's certificate? It would seem to me like having a place to shoot would be critical to my ability hold a CHL class.

I think lots of people do not realize ahead of time that most of the public ranges are only public until you want to qualify someone there. I had a place to both teach and qualify, but it didn't work out with the owner. Nobody says we will always be treated fairly in this world, so I am just checking to see if there is a place on this side of town I don't know about. I sure would like to hear from a land owner who is interested in putting up a big berm for us lost chickens. He could probably make a fair income just letting instructors qualify there.

I'm in the same pickle here in McKinney. There are places to go, if you don't mind driving over an hour round trip.

[TexasGal]

Has the market already been saturated and there are too many CHL instructors now? Always wonder how much lower the CHL classes can go down as each year they seem to drop lower and lower. I'm also starting to see a lot more "tractical" shooting (pistols/carbine) instructors out there now too.

There are plenty of students here in the DFW metro area, but the facilities are lacking. Customers like to go to the one stop instructors where it is all done in one place if the instruction is good. Those instructors who can't offer that are behind the eight ball.

[Crossfire]

I'm just wondering why many folks that decide to get their instructor's certification don't investigate and find a place that will let them hold their shooting qualification before getting the instructor's certificate? It would seem to me like having a place to shoot would be critical to my ability hold a CHL class.

I think lots of people do not realize ahead of time that most of the public ranges are only public until you want to qualify someone there. I had a place to both teach and qualify, but it didn't work out with the owner. Nobody says we will always be treated fairly in this world, so I am just checking to see if there is a place on this side of town I don't know about. I sure would like to hear from a land owner who is interested in putting up a big berm for us lost chickens. He could probably make a fair income just letting instructors qualify there.

That is SO true, TexasGal. You would think, as an instructor, that ranges would be happy to have you there. You bring your students - if they are treated well, they will probably be repeat customers of the range, as well. Not to mention that, ranges usually charge MORE than the standard range fee for CHL qualification, even though the student is only on the range for less than 30 minutes!

But, still, it is so difficult to find ranges outside of where you already have a relationship, that we don't do off-site private classes anymore unless they can provide us a range.

[wgoforth]

Has the market already been saturated and there are too many CHL instructors now? Always wonder how much lower the CHL classes can go down as each year they seem to drop lower and lower. I'm also starting to see a lot more "tractical" shooting (pistols/carbine) instructors out there now too.

There are plenty of students here in the DFW metro area, but the facilities are lacking. Customers like to go to the one stop instructors where it is all done in one place if the instruction is good. Those instructors who can't offer that are behind the eight ball.

I have found a problem among instructors and ranges being territorial. So while not reasonable, it is the way it is I am afraid...

[TexasGal]

Maybe one ray of sunshine. I talked to the owner of an indoor range in Joshua that was sympathetic. He will allow me to bring in students to qualify but the difficulty comes in trying to do that during busy range times evenings and Saturdays. I will need to work them in so it may be difficult to qualify very many students at a time. It's much less busy during weekdays earlier than 4pm if I can get some students to come then. I am grateful. I have practiced there a few times and liked everyone I met so maybe this will work out. I still need to locate some ultra cheap classroom choices. Those big storage buildings at Lowes are starting to look interesting. I've got a window AC unit, a generator, and some folding chairs. Think they will notice?

[Crossfire]

Our first classes were in local community centers, city recreation centers, and churches.

You don't have to rent a hotel conference room. There are lots of places that have cheap space. Also check DAV and VFW halls. Even churches you don't attend are sometimes wiling to rent out a room. If they do it for wedding receptions, they will probably work with you on a class.

Classroom space is much easier to find than range space. You just need to think creatively.

[TexasGal]

Thanks, Crossfire
I have been investigating some of those options, but you listed a couple more for me to check into.

[Texanaggie]

hello out there...

Another question...does anyone know of any Instructor friendly ranges here in Houston?

jk

I haven't had any issues with gun ranges.., in fact it is the opposite , I use Marksman gun range in south houston and also Top shot in Friendswood... I went on a Sat to marksman during a very busy time and i just asked the range master i have to do a quick CHL qaul and he got me in and out within 15mins...... but i never have attitude and just ask worst thing he will say is "NO"

[CMalin]

Seems as if maybe a group of instructors should look at some land available for lease.

[Richardc]

I have a private range i use near me and a lot of local resterants and pubs have said more than once i could use them to teach my class there. If any one in the Mckinney, Plano, Allen, Princeton area would like to team up I have a website and facebook page established. I would love to try and expand my bussiness. =

[Dub]

From the student perspective, I renewed last month and my instructor was unable to reserve two lanes for a smallish class. After arriving at the indoor range they were quite busy, and also hosting their own CHL classes. Guess they don't need the competition?

[TDDude]

I've had good luck using the "Tupperware" business model. I have a class in someone's home and I waive the homeowner’s tuition. In exchange, I ask the homeowner to bring at least 5 students. The homeowner then talks it up getting their friends and friends of friends to have the class with them. If the homeowner brings in more than 10 students, then for anything over 10, I kick back 20% of those additional tuitions back to the homeowner. I haven't had more than 10 in a home yet, but I can hope.

Shiloh is where I test and they don't mind a bit running my credit card after my few students shoot. They require that I call ahead and book it with an accurate student count. Since they do charge a bit more than the standard range fee and a test takes only 15-25 minutes, I don’t see why any range would be against testing.

One thing you guys might want to keep in mind is that when you do run students, be very organized. Do a function check during the class time and make sure all the pistols are LUBRICATED!! I'm always amazed at how dry some of them have been. Next, make sure the students know exactly what's expected of them. Take a half hour or so of class time and go over the range procedures and commands. Have a couple students go through the motions with Red Guns. With the regular customers in there blazing away at the same time as your test, it's very hard for the students to hear the commands and if they already know what to expect, things will go a lot smoother.

The test will then go very quickly and the range management will be more prone to letting you back in.

One last thing: Find another instructor to act as a Safety Officer during your test and thanks a million to CBunt1 for helping me out in this area. Having a set of eyes that is ONLY looking at safety issues will be a huge load off your plate.

That's all.
2c.

[jamcgowan]

I had to qualify 4 students this past Friday. I went to TopGun in Houston. Now in the past, I have gone there and with the exception of having to pay twice the amount per student ($37.50...the hourly price is only $15.00 normally), I was never charged anything else. That has now changed, they charged me the same price just to administer the exam!

Three of the students I brought with me had never been to Top Gun, so in my mind, I was bringing in ongoing business to them so why charge me? (rhetorical question) Add to that the continual snarky attitudes I have encountered there, and I am just going to have to find somewhere else to get my students qualified.

I really don't get it.

[howdy]

jamcgowan:

I don't know where you are in Houston, but Memorial Shooting Center, (just north of Memorial Center Mall) used to allow outside instructors to qualify. They were very nice. I just qualified a class at Tactical Firearms in Katy. They told me during their grand opening I could even use one of their classrooms. I'm sure they would charge for the room and I didn't ask how much.