Firearms classes, possibly gunfight tactics?

[Tomcat088]

I'm very new to actually carrying a pistol for protection. It's something that I've always wanted to do, but just never had the opportunity to do it until recently. I have been raised with firearms, especially rifles and shotguns, and handle a pistol fairly well. With my XD I typically shoot about 5 or 6" groups at 25 yards, free hand, so not terrible, but still beginning. Anyway, I suppose I can hold my own, and out of about 200 rounds, I only put 2 or 3 off the paper, even when making large amounts of head shots at various distances. I was just wondering if someone could recommend some classes that would help me with tactics and real world practice. I am interested in some of the matches, but I'd really like some formal training first. I live up near the panhandle of Texas, so for a beginner class I'd like to not have to travel terribly far for like what is normally a 1 day course. Later I'd like to take a class from Ken Hackathorn and SureFire Institute, but I have to get some prereqs out of the way. I'd love to hear from anyone that has any suggestions for a basics teacher, or also any other good instructors that you know of for advanced tactics that I might use later on?

[nightraider]

Do you ever shoot at Patriot Firearms or the range out at Slaton, TX?

[Tomcat088]

Actually, I shoot at Patriot firearms at least once a week. I never have been out to the outdoor range at slaton yet, but I imagine I'll make it out that way one of these days. Some of my friends tell me about it. I take it you're from the area?

[The Knight Of Light]

While I am not from Texas nor have I been there longer than Basic Training and Tech School. This was revealed in a Google Search

http://www.texastactical.com/
http://www.texastactical.net/
http://chltraining.com/
http://www.brenzovich.com/
http://www.krtraining.com/
http://www.learn2shoot.net/
http://www.carlchandler.com/

This last one looks real promising!

http://www.weaponsacademy.com/

[Tomcat088]

Thank you so much for the links Knight of Light. I had planned on doing a google search and seeing what I found, thank you for doing some of the work for me. I just posted up here because I didn't know if some people on here favored some teachers or had some really good experiences with some of them. I want to train realistically, and for what really happens in a gunfight, that's why I'd later like to train with Ken Hackathorn. Thanks again.

Edit:

I just finished speaking to Karl Rhen on the phone, of KR training. I must say, he really sounds like a nice and very knowledgable fellow. He was happy to answer all of my questions and talked on the phone with me for right around 15 minutes. I believe that this is the place that I'll be traveling in October to see, although it's 8 hours from me. Their advanced training weekend just sounds so awesome and widespread that I'm gonna give it a shot. Thanks for all of ya'lls help and advice, and thank you Knight of Light for helping me find them.

[The Knight Of Light]

Good luck and have fun. No matter how much realism they put into it remember it is still just shooting.

[nightraider]

Originally Posted by Tomcat088

Actually, I shoot at Patriot firearms at least once a week. I never have been out to the outdoor range at slaton yet, but I imagine I'll make it out that way one of these days. Some of my friends tell me about it. I take it you're from the area?

I will be going back up yes. We should go shooting sometime. If you want to go prarie dog huntin' to, my friend and I are planning another trip.