LEFT OF CENTER
GUN SCHOOL
LEFT OF CENTER
GUN SCHOOL
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’m afraid of guns! Is this training for me?
A: Yes! We are newbie-friendly! Our courses are written with beginners in mind. Apprehension is natural and to be expected. Unlike typical gun courses, a big part of our firearms training is fear mitigation. We’re NOT your typical gun school! It gives us tremendous satisfaction to meet a client who is terrified of guns and lead them on a transformative journey that not only relieves their apprehension but also results in complete confidence and competency. Don’t just take our word for it. Read what our clients say about our training here.
Q: Do I need to be a gun owner to train with LOC?
A: No! We provide all firearms and ammunition. However, if you do own your own pistol or shotgun, you are welcome to bring it and use it in the course. No live ammo is allowed in class.
Our Pistols
Glock model 22 .40 cal
Glock model 19 9mm
Ruger LRC 38 Special +P
Sig Saur P238 .380
Ruger Wrangler .22 six shooter
North American Arms .22 Mag pocket pistol
Advantage Arms Glock .22 cal Conversion
Our Shotguns
Benelli SuperNova Tactical 12-gauge pump
Remington 870 Police Magnum 12-gauge tactical pump
Francolin Model PAX GF3P 20-guage tactical pump
Mossberg 590 20-gauge tactical pump
Mossberg 505 20-gauge youth model
Mossberg 590 .410 tactical pump
Churchill Model 620 20-gauge tactical pump
Rock Island AG Pump .410-gauge
Q: Are LOC courses ‘combat firearms’ training? Do I need to be in shape? My knees are bad and I don’t particularly have strong hands to work gun parts. Will that be a problem?
A: No! Our goal is for clients to learn the basic knowledge and proper attitude to mitigate fear of guns and use them safely. You’re not going to be room clearing, killing hostage takers, or engaging multiple targets under stress. For example, in Pistol Shooter 1 , we train you using our standard classroom pistol – a Glock model 22 .40 cal, but we understand not everyone can physically operate every type of gun effectively. If we identify that you’re struggling, we’ll pause and take steps to remediate the problem, even if it means giving you a different kind of gun. Nobody has ever failed our course because they weren’t strong enough to rack the slide. Btw, are you left-handed? We’ll issue you a left-handed Glock!
Q: Can I host a LOC course at a location in my hometown?
A: Yes! Have guns will travel! Left of Center Gun School is mobile. Our home base is in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California and we frequently host courses at our Silverlake studio. If you don’t live near us, we’re happy to customize a course(s) in your hometown. We’ve taught everywhere from tiny apartments to enormous estates. We’ll network with your local shooting range and do all the coordination. Simply assemble a maximum of 4 participants per session and contact us for a quote.
Q: How much do LOC courses cost?
Pistol Shooter 1
Los Angeles area pricing:
We regularly offer courses in our Silverlake studio. Alternatively, you may choose your own date for a private class in our studio, or host a private course in your home or another location of your choice.
LOC advertised course dates hosted in our Silverlake studio:
$250 per participant (maximum of 4)
Private groups:
4 Participants: $250 each.
3 Participants: $290 each.
2 Participants: $350 each.
1 Participant (private): $650.
Prices do not include range fees (approximately $20 per participant) or ammunition (lowest market pricing).
National city-to-city pricing: $1600 per session (4 people max). Price does not include travel, range fees or cost of ammo. Contact us directly for a quote.
Optional On-line Self-Study
For an additional $25, any participant may enroll in an optional on-line training component that makes them eligible for formal NRA Basic Pistol Shooter certification upon successful range qualification. This certification can be applied in some states towards conceal carry training requirements. The material takes approximately 5 hours to complete and you may pause and log back in as many times as you desire. Whether or not you opt in for certification, we highly advise our clients to take the optional on-line training. It’s really good stuff!
(Pro Tip: Book Pistol Shooter 1 and Shotgun for Home Defense consecutively to get Alumni pricing on Shotgun for Home Defense.)
Shotgun for Home Defense
Los Angeles area pricing:
We regularly offer courses in our Silverlake studio. Alternatively, you may choose your own date for a private class in our studio, or host a private course in your home or another location of your choice. The course is offered at reduce pricing for LOC Alumni who have completed Pistol Shooter 1.
LOC advertised course dates hosted in our Silverlake studio:
$250 per participant (Alumni-$150) (maximum of 4)
Private groups:
4 Participants: $250 each. (Alumni-$150)
3 Participants: $290 each. (Alumni-$190)
2 Participants: $350 each. (Alumni-$250)
1 Participant (private): $650. (Alumni-$550)
Prices do not include range fees (approximately $20 per participant) or ammunition (lowest market pricing).
(Pro Tip: Book Pistol Shooter 1 and Shotgun for Home Defense consecutively to get Alumni pricing on Shotgun for Home Defense.)
Practical Shotgun
Los Angeles area pricing:
We host weekend Practical Shotgun courses on a private range at Burro Canyon Shooting Park in Azusa, CA three times a year. Because of the high demand for weekend private range usage, these dates must be booked months in advance. The price per person is $250 + $40 range fee + $60 ammunition. However, you may choose your own weekday date for a private iteration of this course with relatively little forward notice. Private groups pay Burro Canyon’s entire $160 private range booking fee, in addition to our individual course fees and ammunition.
Private groups:
4 Participants: $250 each.
3 Participants: $290 each.
2 Participants: $350 each.
1 Participant (private): $650.
Prices do not include range fees ($160 per group) or ammunition ($60 per person).
Private Instruction
Los Angeles area pricing:
Private Instruction conducted at our Silverlake studio:
1 Participant (private): $75 an hour.
2 or more Participants: $50 an hour per participant.
Private instruction conducted elseware will incure addional travel and setup fees TBD based on location.
Contact us directly to discuss your goals and time requirements, and we’ll work out a schedule and budget that works for you or your group.
Q: Will I get my Concealed Carry Permit upon completing Pistol Shooter 1?
A: No. State-certified instructors conduct Concealed Carry courses in their respective states. The courses are typically 1-2 days long and focus primarily on applicable state laws associated with carrying a loaded firearm on your person. Typically, Concealed Carry courses dedicate very little time to training candidates in safe gun handling and accurate marksmanship, presuming that you already know how to shoot. Left of Center strongly encourages you to seek out comprehensive pistol instruction prior to signing up for a Concealed Carry course in your home state. State of Illinois: clients who opt to complete the optional on-line component of our pistol training will meet the first 8hrs of the State of Illinois’ 16 hours training requirement for Concealed Carry. Ask us for more information.
Q: What’s the best shotgun for home defense?
A: Your home defense shotgun will have a much shorter barrel and butt stock than your grandfather’s duck hunting shotgun. This is so you can maneuver with it in the confines of the hallways in your home. The most important consideration in selecting your home defense shotgun is to assure its “length of pull” properly fits your arm length. In our Shotgun for Home Defense course, we will help you determine the right fit for you.
LOC is fond of “old school” pump (slide action) shotguns and for good reasons. They’ve been in service since WW1 and are inexpensive, easy to learn on and extremely reliable. They can be kept safe but “at the ready” in a secure location in your home and made ready to fire with a single slide of the pump.
Arguably the most famous of them is the Remington 870. With 11,000,000 made, the Remington 870 is still used by police and the militaries of 25 different countries. You’ll get a chance to train on and fire LOC’s Remington 870 and see if you like it. We have 8 different tactical shotguns in 3 different gauges, and you’ll get hands-on training on all them. By the time the course is over, you’ll have a very good idea of what fits you and what gauge and style you like.
Q: Does LOC offer rifle training?
A: We currently do not. However, private rifle instruction is available. David Selmo has a long history in exceptional rifle marksmanship. During his time in the military he made the “Governor’s top 20 shots” with an M-14 rifle in a Michigan statewide competition featuring over 150 competitors. He was the Grand Aggregate Champion (i.e. #1 top shot) at 500 yards with the weapon; hitting a paper plate repeatedly using iron sights at 500 yards. He has been working with AR platform rifles for over 30 years. His favorite rifle shooting is ‘plinking’ with his Ruger 10/22 little .22LR rifle with a 24x sniper scope on it! Contact us directly for more information.
Q: Does Left of Center Gun School train children?
A: Yes. It’s difficult if not downright impossible to educate the curiosity OUT of young children. Studies have shown that when unsupervised children are presented with an opportunity to touch a gun, children rarely resist, no matter what they’ve been told. Minors ages 16 and up can enroll for Pistol Shooter 1 with written permission from a parent or guardian. Children ages 9-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also taking the course. When children are present, we adapt our presentation and teaching approach to assure they are comfortable, safe, and enjoying themselves! Children under the age of 9 are eligible for private safety training. A parent or guardian must be present. Left of Center Gun School will work with parents to customize training so it’s tailored to meet the specific goals they have in mind for their kids. Contact us and let’s have a conversation about it.
Q: I want to purchase my first pistol. What’s the best one?
A: The best and shortest answer is- The one you can shoot and hit with!
What do you intend to use your new pistol for? Home defense? Sport shooting at the range? Concealed carry on your person? Concealed carry in a purse or backpack? Concealed carry in your car? As a rule, smaller ‘compact’ pistols are better choices for concealed carry on your person. If you can’t conveniently fit it in your pocket or purse, you’re simply not going to carry it. However, small pistols are not particularly enjoyable to shoot at the range (our opinion) because the kick from their small frame’s inability to absorb recoil can be uncomfortable to your hand. So, if you are a first-time handgun buyer, a ‘pocket pistol’ is probably not right for you. On the other hand, larger full-frame pistols remain convenient for home, car and range enjoyment.
Another important consideration is ease of use. Do you have small hands? A pistol with reduced grip size may feel more comfortable to you and a smaller caliber may be desirable. Statistics show that any caliber pistol will stop a bad guy with one shot nearly half the time. Therefore, caliber stopping power should not be a primary decision factor. Do you have trouble working the slide on a full-frame semi-auto? Perhaps a revolver is best. (LOC has a couple different revolvers you can try out.)
Currently, cost to operate your handgun is worthy of an honorable mention. Shooting is a perishable skill and practice is important. It’s more likely you’ll visit your local range more often if the price of ammo isn’t breaking the bank. Typically, .22 and 9mm are the most affordable ammunitions.
Finally, make sure the pistol you’re considering is legal in your state. If you’re in California, check the CA roster of legal pistols and see what interests you. You can view this list at the following link: https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/certified-handguns/search
In summary, there is no one answer. Our advice? Start by taking our Pistol Shooter 1 course. You’ll have the opportunity to try a variety of firearms and get a professional opinion on what works best for you from our collection. Next, apply your new shooting skills at your local range and rent and try out a variety of pistol styles. Hands-on experience is the best way to find a pistol that feels good and shoots well for you!