NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course

NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course Student HandbookSummary: The NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course is a basic course introducing students to safe and responsible pistol ownership and shooting. The NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting is intended for all individuals regardless of previous shooting experience or NRA-affiliation.

Description:  Some of the topics/activities in the course include:

  • Gun Safety Rules
  • Proper Operation of Revolvers & Semi-Automatic Pistols
  • Ammunition Knowledge and Selection
  • Pistol Selection and Storage
  • The Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting
  • Pistol Shooting Errors
  • Clearing Pistol Stoppages
  • Shooting Positions
  • Pistol Inspection and Maintenance
  • Marksmanship
  • Shooting Range Safety
  • Maintaining Your Skills
  • Live Fire Training
  • A Nationally Standardized Shooting Qualification

The NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course is available for delivery in two ways – Instructor Led Training (Liberty Defense’s primary method) and Blended Training.

Instructor Led Training

The Instructor Led Training takes place in a traditional classroom and range environment with direct instruction from a Liberty Defense NRA-certified instructor. This course may be completed with a Liberty Defense instructor in a single day format or over several days with smaller blocks of instruction. Students will receive the NRA Guide: Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, take a Basics of Pistol Shooting Student Examination, and receive a course completion certificate bearing the signature of the NRA Secretary and the Liberty Defense NRA Certified Instructor. Follow the registration instructions on a specific Liberty Defense course webpage to register for an NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course, Instructor Led Training.

Blended Training

The Blended Training format provides students the flexibility to complete a significant portion of the course in an eLearning environment, prior to arriving for the classroom and range session with a Liberty Defense NRA Certified Instructor. During the instructor-led-training portion of the course, a Liberty Defense NRA Certified Instructor will validate comprehension and application of gun safety rules; range protocol; proper handling; loading and unloading procedures; application of pistol shooting fundamentals; stable shooting positions; live fire; and a final shooting qualification. Follow the registration instructions on a specific Liberty Defense course webpage to register for an NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course, Blended Training.

Prerequisite for Defensive Shooting

The NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course teaches the foundational skills necessary for defensive pistol shooting, but it is not a tactical or defensive pistol shooting course. We recommend anyone desiring to pursue defensive pistol training to start with this class, the NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course (or provide proof of shooting experience*); then take the NRA Basic Personal Protection In the Home and NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside the Home courses, or the NRA CCW course; and finally follow with an advanced tactical pistol course. Your training will lead you to study ethics, tactics, and firearms laws, as well as shoot several thousand rounds as you develop the strength, neural pathways, and muscle memory needed for effective use of a defensive pistol.

* Proof of shooting experience can be one of the following: NRA Basic Pistol Course Certificate, NRA FIRST Steps Course Certificate, NRA pistol competitive shooting qualification card, military DD 214 with pistol qualification, or passing the Pre-Course Assessment.

Prerequisites

  • Be qualified to possess a firearm as defined by applicable federal, state or local law
  • Be of good repute, come with a good attitude, and be ready to learn
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