Defensive Pistol Skills 1

Course Description: This course is intended to introduce students to realistic defensive handgun skills training. There is a significant gap between the remedial/beginner level skills requirement of the Texas CHL course and the skills that may be required to survive a real deadly force encounter. In a real situation it's unlikely that the shooter will get to start with his/her gun in hand, standing in the open, facing a stationary target in good light, with sufficient time to shoot at a comfortable pace. A more typical measure is that the shooter will have to draw from concealment and shoot 3 rounds in 3 seconds or less at a moving, partially obscured target 3-5 yards away.

Most untrained shooters think "shooting practice" is to stand in one spot and shoot whatever target is available until the box of ammo is empty. Under stress you will do what you have practiced. The goal of the DPS-1 course is to educate students as to what they should be practicing, and how they should practice it, so that under stress a trained "default response" to a lethal threat can occur with appropriate speed and accuracy. The DPS-1 course is the first in a series of 3 courses (DPS-2 and DPS-3 follow) that teach defensive handgun skills similar to those taught at major national academies.

We find that many CHL holders that have never had formal handgun training would benefit from the technique 'tune-up' provided by our Basic Pistol 2 class. Click here for some questions to help you determine if Basic Pistol 2 would benefit you, even if you've already passed your CHL shooting test.

This course is part of the core curriculum of the 40 hour Defensive Pistol Skills Program.

Topics: characteristics of a "typical" gunfight compared to Texas CHL shooting proficiency requirements, review of gun safety and shooting fundamentals, ready positions, loading and reloading techniques, drawing from concealment, high speed target engagement, threat scanning, use of verbal commands, extreme close range shooting, and generally developing proficiency with the handgun under stress.

Length: four hours

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

Prerequisites: Basic Pistol 2 (Defensive Pistol Essentials), Beyond the Basics or equivalent training, and/or a score of 90% of better on the Texas CHL shooting test. CHL with no formal handgun skills training does not meet pre-reqs for this course.

Required Equipment: A centerfire handgun, belt holster, a minimum of 2 spare magazines or speedloaders, magazine/speedloader carriers, eye and ear protection, a baseball cap (to deflect spent brass and keep the sun out of your eyes) and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammunition.

Optional Equipment: See the general policies page for suggestions on food, drink, clothing, etc.

Taught by: Karl Rehn

Facility: A-Zone Range

Additional information: This course can be used as a pre-requisite for the higher-numbered Advanced Training courses and is considered equivalent to the older AT-1 course.

Class After Action Reports: