11/18/23 – NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Course

Pistols are one of the most well-liked types of firearms and have been around for over a hundred years. They prove to be popular year after year and are used for competition, personal protection, professional uses, and as a hobby by many people.

What You Will Learn

It takes more than just knowing how to pull a trigger in order to competently use a pistol. This course will teach you everything you need to safely put bullets on target with your pistol and ammunition or you can use our equipment. The topics include:

• Firearm Safety
• Pistol Knowledge
• Ammunition Knowledge
• Selecting and Maintaining Your Pistol
• Pistol Shooting Fundamentals
• Scoring Targets
• Shooting Skill Development

The Prerequisites

The NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Course is designed to educate everyone, including people who have never shot before, how to confidently and safely fire handguns. As such, all you have to bring is a willingness to learn. For a nominal fee, we can supply everything else.

What to Expect

This course involves both classroom and live-fire activities. You will learn the skills in a classroom setting and will practice them with dummy ammunition. You will also acquaint yourself with both revolvers and semi-automatic handguns.

Then you will practice your skills at the shooting range, under the direction of an NRA Certified Instructor. After that, your knowledge will be tested using the Basics of Pistol Shooting Student Examination.

You will receive the Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook and a course completion certificate bearing the signature of the NRA Secretary and your NRA Certified Instructor.

How You Benefit

Upon completing this course, you will be able to select a handgun for yourself, select the appropriate ammunition, then accurately shoot groups on targets. Even if you have never used a gun before, you will be able to safely shoot one after taking this course.

You will also have the basics in place to learn how to defend yourself against a violent attack should you wish to continue your training in the defensive shooting discipline. Depending on your state, this course may be necessary in order to acquire a concealed carry license. There are also multiple courses which can educate you further on how to use a pistol to defend yourself and your family.

The NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Course is a prerequisite for courses such as the NRA Personal Protection In The Home course, NRA Personal Protection Outside The Home course, and the NRA Advanced Defensive Pistol course.

If you find guns to be your calling and you want to share them with other people, you can also take the NRA Certified Pistol Instructor Training course and become an NRA Certified Instructor yourself.

What You Need to Bring with You on the Day of the Class

Here are the items that you should bring with you when you come to an NRA Basic Pistol class. (We can provide firearms and equipment if you need us too.)

• Your firearm
• Note taking materials
• Ear and eye protection
• Gun box or holster to keep the firearm secure
• Weather appropriate clothing
• 150 rounds ammunition minimum
• A willingness to learn and the ability to ask questions

QUESTIONS? Contact out in-house NRA Training Counselor