Pistol Competency

Description

Pistol Competency is a full day class that is a combination of elements from our Handgun 101 and Presentation Skills workshops.  The course is foundational but is also well suited to those who have been carrying and want an opportunity to refresh and test their skills. 

Pistol and revolver are both welcome, all the live fire exercises are structured to support either. Creating a repeatable and efficient draw stroke will involve use of a holster, but this class will not work from concealment. This class can be presented to any group, including a women only format.

Topics Covered

• The Rules of Fiream Safety
• Administrative handling of the handgun
  • Loading and unloading
  • Safe storage concepts and devices
• Care and maintenance of the handgun and gear
• Fundamentals of marksmanship
• Review of holsters, and what makes a good holster
• Retention levels of holsters
• Positioning the holster for success
• Establishing a firing grip in the holster
• The draw sequence in three steps
• Dry practice and live fire on the range
• De-brief, Q&A, next steps

Expectations and Outcomes

• A student will have fired up to 50 shots using different handgun types
• A student will have a working understanding of the Four Rules, and why they must be followed
• A student will have an understanding of how to handle a handgun administratively in a safe manner
• A student will have an understanding of the fundamentals of marksmanship
  • Grip
  • Sights
  • Trigger
• A student will understand the importance of storing firearms safely, and of tools to use. 
• How to establish a firing grip every time
• The three steps of drawing to ready
• The fourth step of presentation
• How to evaluate and select gear that fits the students use cases, context and lifestyle

Types

Basic, Intermediate, Concealed Carry Training

Requirements

Students must provide:

• Personal Protective Equipment; eye and hearing protection, electronic hearing protection is preferable
• A handgun that the student would ordinarily carry for defensive purposes, semi-auto pistol or revolver
  • Pistols
    • Caliber .380 or larger
    • Any action type
    • Dedicated target pistols are not preferred, check with instructor
  • Revolvers
    • Caliber .32 or larger
    • Double Action
  • .22 LR may be used, check with instructor
• A holster of either leather or kydex made to fit the specific gun being used
  • Holsters that retain the gun with a device released by trigger finger pressure are NOT allowed
  • No soft nylon belt holsters
  • Instructor will evaluate gear
• Minimum one extra magazine with pouch for semi-autos, more is better, or at least one loading device if using a revolver (speed loader with pouch, strip, etc.)
• 150 rounds of ammunition for the handgun