Which pistol class to take at Rogers?
I am going to register for a class at Rogers this year, but I'm not sure which class would be best. My thinking is that the basic/intermediate class would be best, but the suggested performance requirements for the intermediate/advanced class are about where I am now. I've taken several classes from well known traveling trainers (Givens/Spaulding/Hearne/Ellifritz), but I don't have any IDPA/USPSA ratings to offer as a performance metric. Anyway, getting in some remedial instruction in the basic class seems like a better experience than being overwhelmed in the advanced class. If anyone has taken either or both classes, I'd appreciate some guidance. Thanks.
Warning-can be addictive!
I went to Rogers a few times, and sent a daughter to “ Basic”. I managed to get the “gold” pin twice, but a bit frustratingly not the red Rogers pin for top class shooter(most plates down). I also got a tutorial over a couple of days from Ronnie Dodd(RIP, sir) when he had a Rogers range setup. I credit that with giving me a good foundation on my dot journey.
I would say if you are easily discouraged, go to the Basic class. The problem is you will almost assuredly want to go back! It’s a demanding school: a bit physical-lot of standing- but my demon was thinking about what I had just done and not focusing on what was next on the tests. Got past that near the end of the week to eke out a gold score.
Rogers himself has said he will have a few students just quit nearly every class. I saw that happen a couple of times. But, one can power through mentally. Plenty of folks have done it, to include @GJM and his champion wife, Charlie. There are videos on YouTube and the founder of this site, the late Todd Green(RIP, sir-thanks for all your contributions) had a sort of guide to the plate sequence. There are no surprises; the sequence is on the wall of your shooting station.
The usual recommendations apply: have your gear sorted- a spare piece is not a bad idea, and have comfort items like a chair, snacks, fluids,etc. They will shoot rain or shine or sleet-covered shooting points. In the Basic class(unless they changed radically) you’ll start with an issued .22 rimfire. I used iron sighted Glocks for my Rogers days; an ACRO optic when working with Dodd.
No matter what level, you will probably get to a point where you will shoot a string, all or most plates will be down, and you can’t quite recall how that happened-true automaticity I think. I’ve been fortunate enough to get to several schools, but Rogers IMO gives one the best technical testing I know of. I’m still working on support hand. Best of luck and good on ya for training.
Edit to add: run a 9 if you can-2,000+ rounds is a lot. You also have supervised homework in the evenings, so it’s immersive. I’ll finish by saying even if you get to basic level, that is better technically than a lot of shooters, LE included.