Do You Need Training, Practice, or Private Lessons?

Recently, I taught a private shooting lesson. After the lesson, the student asked when he should schedule another one.

As an instructor, I only make money when students are paying for lessons or classes—but I also have an ethical obligation to give sound advice, even if it costs me money. Since I’m sure this student isn’t alone in asking that question, let’s break it down.

Lessons

Private shooting lessons are often the most expensive option—but they can also be the most effective.

I recommend private or small-group lessons for very new shooters, or for shooters working toward specific, defined goals. Private lessons give me, as the instructor, the time to properly diagnose issues and tailor both time and round count to the individual shooter.

For new shooters, the smaller setting is also safer. It allows for the kind of focused attention needed to build solid fundamentals while avoiding bad habits from the start.

In a one-on-one setting, there’s more opportunity for discussion, more questions, and I can observe every round the student fires. That means I can identify and correct issues faster—and usually with less ammo expended.

One of the biggest advantages of private instruction is the removal of ego. In group settings, students naturally begin to compete—even when they don’t intend to. Competition is valuable, and ultimately necessary for a well-rounded shooter, but early on it can lead to compromised form and slower development.

In a private lesson, I can push the student while maintaining strict accountability. If something breaks down, we stop, address it immediately, and fix it before it becomes a habit.

Training Classes

Training classes are typically a more cost-effective option than private lessons. Because multiple students share the instructor’s time, you can often get a full day—or even a multi-day course—at a lower cost.

The tradeoff is structure.

A class is built around a pre-planned curriculum. The drills, round counts, and progression are set in advance. While a good instructor can adjust at the margins—speeding up for a strong class or slowing down when needed—the course largely follows a script.

Instructors in a class environment have to manage pace carefully. We can’t focus solely on the lowest-performing shooters without shortchanging the more advanced students—but we also can’t teach exclusively to the top end and leave the majority behind.

As a result, most training classes are designed for the average shooter. They should challenge most of the group without overwhelming the bottom end or under-stimulating the top.

Classes are an excellent entry point when you’re learning something new. That might mean entering a shooting sport, learning a new platform, or transitioning to new equipment—like moving from iron sights to a pistol-mounted optic.

They’re also a good way to build foundational knowledge in a specific area, such as defensive handgun or concealed carry.

Practice

Whether you choose private lessons or group classes, shooters are not built during paid training sessions.

They’re built in what happens afterward.

Formal training should give you direction. A class or lesson should identify what you need to work on and how to work on it. You might get 10—or even 100—repetitions of a skill during training. But mastery takes thousands.

The key is discipline.

Pay attention during training. Identify the specific skills you need to develop. Then commit to working those areas consistently—both in dry fire and live fire—on your own time.

Frequency

So when is it time to schedule the next class or lesson?

There’s no fixed timeline.

Instead, look at your progress honestly. Has your practice become stagnant? Has your improvement plateaued? Are you repeating the same work without measurable gains?

More importantly—have you actually applied what you learned in your last session?

If you haven’t internalized those lessons, more training isn’t the answer—better practice is.

But if you’ve done the work, pushed your limits, and feel like you’ve hit a ceiling, that’s a good indicator it’s time to seek additional instruction.

At that point, call your instructor—and come in with a purpose.