Any training is good training...

[WillametteWill]

The common problem I see in the firearms training community is the same problem I saw when I was involved in the martial arts community: Bullshido
It is hard enough to filter good trainers from bad. But much like dojos, there are too many trainers who are stuck in their dogma that theirs is the only correct or effective style because it is "works in competition or cage fighting" or "the special forces use it" or insert some other self validation here...
Even worse are the fakes or posers akin to the Sensei who promotes himself to 23rd degree grand master of his own style, then scams customers out of money for crap training and a black belt that means nothing.

Reviews help to some degree. But from my own experience in martial arts, after spending thousands of dollars, many people don't want to publicly admit they were duped into wasting their time and money for nothing, so they rather succumb to confirmation bias.

Nailed it.

I've, let's say, been exposed to some trainers that are really terrible, yet have good reputations...on the internet. Some have been in classes I have attended, some I have taken classes from, and others in my trusted circle have attended their classes. Sometimes, they may have some good takeaways, but you have to filter through plenty to get to them. The bad part of this is younger/newer shooters may not have enough background to do this effectively.

Others, the worst type IMHO, are the ones who develop a cult of personality around themselves, typically by regurgitating information from others, often not giving them credit (or only if they know enough will catch them in the act), and spend plenty of time on the interwebs bashing others in a desperate attempt to elevate their status. Basically, because they are likely malignant narcissists.

You are right that it is hard to admit that you spent a bunch of money from a popular/famous/infamous trainer. I try really hard not to be the person I describe above and bash trainers. But I've had plenty of private conversations, sharing my perspective. Because others may think they are wonderful and maybe it's me. Naaa

I want classes from the best in the world.

Humble opinion again, I seek good trainers and facilities, not necessarily a background in the military or LEO. There are some amazing pro athletes that completely suck as coaches, trainers, etc. But you get someone who understands deeply how something works, with communication skills, and they can be fantastic instructors. Yes, having a background can be a huge benefit, especially after a certain level or for some types of training. But if Tom Brady cannot communicate to students, he is worthless as an instructor. I have seen LOTS of this from SOME LEO and military instructors (see cult of personality above). When you get someone who has seen the elephant and heard the owl, and can teach, well, that is a unicorn.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

…Humble opinion again, I seek good trainers and facilities, not necessarily a background in the military or LEO. There are some amazing pro athletes that completely suck as coaches, trainers, etc. But you get someone who understands deeply how something works, with communication skills, and they can be fantastic instructors. Yes, having a background can be a huge benefit, especially after a certain level or for some types of training. But if Tom Brady cannot communicate to students, he is worthless as an instructor. I have seen LOTS of this from SOME LEO and military instructors (see cult of personality above). When you get someone who has seen the elephant and heard the owl, and can teach, well, that is a unicorn.

Fwiw I wasn't thinking of anyone with military or Leo background. There are some competition pistol shooters Fe who don't have that background (that I know of anyway) and are incredible teachers. They are also multiple world champions and have spent a lifetime and millions of rounds figuring out what works and what doesn't. So they are good sources for that kind of training imo. Just fe.

 

[titsonritz]

Fwiw I wasn't thinking of anyone with military or Leo background. There are some competition pistol shooters Fe who don't have that background (that I know of anyway) and are incredible teachers. They are also multiple world champions and have spent a lifetime and millions of rounds figuring out what works and what doesn't. So they are good sources for that kind of training imo. Just fe.

All three types have potential to bring good stuff to the table, but as @WillametteWill states just because someone has "been there and done that" doesn't necessarily mean they will have what takes to make solid instructors.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

All three types have potential to bring good stuff to the table, but as @WillametteWill states just because someone has "been there and done that" doesn't necessarily mean they will have what takes to make solid instructors.

I never said it did. I said best in the world meaning best trainers (the top of that bell curve of trainers I showed earlier), not best it the world meaning something else like military or whatever.

 

[mwilliams45g]

I 100% agree. I picked up a new ccw, just waiting on the background check. I will spend a few hundred rounds for function test. I would like to ask if there is other training besides hole punching paper. Indoor/outdoor training is ok but a piece of paper doesn't move.