TRAINING

Pistol Shooter 1: Fear Mitigation and Fundamental Foundations

This course provides firearms training for anyone who wants to learn how to safely handle and shoot a handgun, whether or not they currently own one or ever intend to. Most of our clients have no prior experience with firearms of any kind. Our goal is to bring apolitical, safe, and above all fun firearms training directly to those who would not otherwise seek it from their local gun range. Our pistol course is a hands-on, boutique, full-day experience that utilizes an array of slide action semi-automatic and revolver style handguns, state-of-the-art laser engagement training aids, and creative and entertaining multimedia. Completion of an optional on-line self-study component provides eligibility to qualify for a nationally recognized certification upon completing the course. We are newbie-friendly, and start from the absolute beginning with fear mitigation. By the end of the course, you will be able to comfortably, safely, and confidently operate and fire a handgun with expertise. The course culminates with a trip to the firing range. Whether or not you choose to to shoot for the optional certification, we’ll provide 100 rounds of ammunition and plenty of fun, one-on-one live-fire coaching to conclude your training.

Contact us for course dates and locations or to host your own course.

“My entire life I was petrified of guns until I took Left of Center’s certification class!  In this one-day certification, Instructor David Selmo teaches you, at your own pace, how to safely handle and fire a gun.  It’s a super fun class and because of it I will never be afraid to confidently pick up any gun and fire it safely. Everything is one price and includes guns, ammo, great class materials, and a comprehensive workbook. Thanks again for an amazing day!”

John, age 60
Music Director
Long Beach, CA

DEFENSIVE SHOTGUN

The shotgun is one of the most misunderstood, potent, versatile, and effective close-quarters defensive weapons ever devised.  It’s simple mechanics, extraordinary stopping power, and ability to deploy a wide variety of ammunition types make it an excellent defensive weapon. It’s also a readily available choice because State laws nationwide make it much easier to purchase and own a shotgun than a handgun. Left of Center Gun School’s Defensive Shotgun curriculum consists of two complimentary half-day courses that in tandem provide the skills necessary to become an excellent tactician and accurate defensive shotgun shooter.  The courses have no prerequisites and can be taken in either order, but we encourage you to take them in the order they are presented here:

Shotgun for Home Defense is a beginner’s course that teaches the mechanics, operation, and philosophical deployment of a tactical pump (slide) shotgun for defensive use in the home. The topic is serious, but the course is fun! We emphasize safety, dispel myths, and patiently supervise the abundant repetition of correctly executed skills until you are completely confident in your ability to manage a tactical shotgun on your own. Our personalized hands-on training will teach you to load, unload, operate, fire and address malfunctions of a tactical shotgun. You’ll also learn how to tactically configure your shotgun for defensive use and how to safely store it at the ready for rapid deployment. During the 2nd half of the course, we simulate a variety of defensive situations that hone the decision-making process you’ll face during a home invasion. This course is a half-day of hands-on training at our Silverlake studio, followed by a trip to the range where you will shoot live shotgun rounds with your LOC instructor coach by your side. The course is offered at a discounted price for LOC Alumni who have completed our Pistol Shooter 1 course.

Practical Shotgun is a shooting course taught on a private range at Burro Canyon Shooting Park in Azusa, CA. Bring your own shotgun or let us provide you with the one we think best fits your physique. Either way, we’ll provide the ammo and targets. You’ll spend half-day firing a pump shotgun in a wide variety of close-range exercises designed to hone your marksmanship for effective defensive shooting at home invasion distances. Even if you’ve never loaded or fired a shotgun, don’t worry! We start off with a thorough review of gun safety and an orientation to the mechanics of a pump shotgun. By the end of the course, you’ll be effectively loading the gun and successfully engaging multiple targets. All skill levels are welcome! Each person will enjoy the unique and entertaining shooting exercises at their own level and pace. This is one of the most fun afternoons you’ll ever spend at the range!

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION

Whether you’re a first-timer, a novice or experienced shooter, private instruction accelerates learning and supercharges your skills.

Private training is a great way to help mitigate your fear and learn safety fundamentals in a shorter period of time. From just a few hours to a full day, LOC can tailor a training session for just you or for you and a group of friends.

They say “perfect practice makes perfect”, and firearms marksmanship is a perishable skill.  If you don’t use it, you lose it!  Has it been a while since you last went to the range? We provide refreshers and range coaching.

Are you currently a professional with a duty weapon who is struggling to increase your qualification scores? For those with experience we’ll help you synthesize and integrate shooting knowledge you already possess for higher proficiency, precision, and practical performance. Whether it’s a minor tweak or complete overhaul of your technique, we’ll help you blast through whatever is standing in the way of better scores.

Contact us directly to introduce yourself by phone, txt or email. We’ll work out a schedule and budget that works for you.

“I came to Left of Center because of my issues failing to qualify with my duty weapon at the sheriff’s office. I had failed two consecutive qualification shoots and was only going to be afforded one more chance. My instructor Dave brought me back to the basics of holding a weapon, stance, posture, rapid magazine changes under duress, etc. We spent hours in the classroom, in a garage dry firing the weapon with tons of repetition, and at the range with live ammo. The training changed almost everything about my shot. Dave’s calm reassuring style gave me a confidence I’d never had before. He assured me he would get me through this, and he did!  After working with Dave I went back to the police range and qualified. Not only did I pass, I did remarkably well with a score of 89%!! Thank you Left of Center for your instruction.  I would have never passed my sheriff gun qualification without Dave’s help.”

Corey, age 55
Sheriff Department Reserve Deputy
Knoxville, TN

TRAINING LOCATIONS & PRICING

Left of Center Gun School’s home base is the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California but we love a good road trip. We can bring our highly acclaimed training to you, wherever you are. If you live outside of our home base, we’re happy to customize a course (or multiple courses) for your hometown.

Every course includes:

• Maximum of 4 participants.
• 6-8 hours of group instruction for Pistol, 4-6 hours for Shotgun.
• An array of firearms for your use both in training and on the range.
• State-of-the-art training aids including laser dryfire using electronic targets, computer aided electronic trigger press analysis, and Airsoft training.
• A comprehensive workbook and thumb drive of extras.
• Live range fire of 100 rounds (Pistol) 20 rounds (Shotgun for Home Defense) 80 rounds (Practical Shotgun) per participant, with plenty of one-on-one live fire coaching at the firing range.
• Top-quality noise canceling electronic hearing protection, ear plugs & eye protection, official qualification targets, and use of magazine speed loaders.

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)

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).

Contact us directly by phone, txt or email to schedule a training date for you or your group.

(Pro Tip: Book Pistol Shooter 1 and Shotgun for Home Defense consecutively to get Alumni pricing on Shotgun for Home Defense.)

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. (Maximum of 4).

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.