Basic Pistol I

Course Description: This course is intended for people with little or no pistol shooting experience. It is an introduction to the basics of pistol shooting, including the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to shoot a handgun safely and accurately at a very basic level.

Starting in January 2017, this course fulfills the requirements for the "Phase 2" component of the NRA's blended learning basic pistol course. That course combines an online component with hands-on training to provide an excellent foundation for the beginning handgun shooter.

Students interested in trying a variety of guns should consider attending our Gun Selection class, typically offered on the same day as our Basic Pistol 1 course. Choosing a handgun just by holding it in the store is like choosing a car by sitting in it in a parking lot. Our Gun Selection class provides students the opportunity to actually test fire many different guns and calibers, to make a better informed gun purchase decision.

This course does not fully prepare students with no shooting experience to pass the CHL shooting test. Students wanting to learn enough to pass the CHL test should also take Basic Pistol 2.

Topics: basic safety, gun parts and operation, and fundamentals of marksmanship.

Length: three hours

For prices and upcoming course dates, check the schedule page.

Prerequisites: none

Required Equipment: We will provide a variety of handguns and 50 rounds of ammunition, eye and ear protection. Students should also bring a baseball cap (to deflect spent brass), pen and paper.

Optional Equipment: none

Taught by: Karl Rehn, Penny Riggs, or other staff NRA certified instructor

Facility: A-Zone Range

Additional information: Staff instructors are also available to teach this course privately to adults and juniors. Juniors must have a responsible parent or guardian present at all times during the course, and parents/guardians who have not had previous formal firearms training (military, police, NRA, etc.) are required to take the course along with their junior(s). We can teach this course at almost any public or private range in a single block or in segments. Costs, times and locations for private instruction will vary based on location, schedule, number of students and instructor availability.

Here are some photos from previous Basic Pistol courses.

Trying to decide what kind of pistol to buy? Read our Handgun Selection Guide.

Class After-Action Reports: