A pistol, or handgun, is a firearm designed to be fired while being held in one hand. While such firearms are small and compact, they can be the hardest to learn.

The Basic Pistol course consists of a morning classroom session and an afternoon live-fire range session. Students will receive the NRA's "The Basics of Pistol Shooting" handbook to study in advance and then intensive lessons in safety, gun handling, the various types of pistols, the fundamentals of pistol marksmanship, various pistol firing positions, several practical exercises on the firing range, cleaning, storage, and a summary of pistol sports and activities.

Course Goal

“To teach the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for owning and using a pistol safely.”

Lessons

1. Pistol Knowledge and Safe Gun Handling

2. Ammunition Knowledge and Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting

3. Firing the First Shots (includes cleaning and storage)

4. Two-handed and One-handed Standing Shooting Positions

 

Main

 

Shotgun

 

Rifle

 

Personal Protection in the Home

 

Personal Protection Outside the Home

 

ERTC Main

Students will have the opportunity to shoot five different pistols: a Ruger "Single Six" single action, cowboy style "Six Shooter" revolver (both .22LR and .22 magnum), a detective style double action revolver, a Walther P-22 semi-automatic in .22LR (James Bond's new pistol of choice), a Smith and Wesson Model 639 semi-auto in 9mm (a 1911 style pistol favored by many police departments, and an M-9 (standard US military sidearm since 1985) also in 9mm.

Course Completion

Students will receive feedback on the live-fire exercise and take a short written test on the lesson material at the end of the day.

Upon successful completion, students will receive the NRA Basic Pistol Course Completion Certificate.  The course completion certificate is required to apply for a Connecticut Pistol Permit.

Course tuition of $149.00 includes textbook (yours to keep), instruction, completion certificate, use of pistols, eye and ear protection, targets and a minimum of 100 rounds of ammunition per student.  Range fee ($15) is not included and will be paid separately to the range.

No previous experience is necessary and there are no course prerequisites, but you must not have a criminal record.