NRA Pistol Classes

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The goal of the NRA's Pistol Instructor Course is to develop NRA Certified Instructors who possess the knowledge, skills & attitude necessary to conduct the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting class.

We conduct this course the 3rd weekend of every month.

This course is for EXPERIENCED pistol shooters only.  It is to teach you the NRA methods for teaching a basic pistol student, not to teach you how to shoot or work handguns.  You MUST be familiar with single-action, double-action & semi-auto handguns.

This course consists of 3 parts over 2-3 days:

An Instructor-led Basic Pistol course (See above) - We try to offer this class several times per month, including the day before the Pistol Instructor course starts.  Other dates can be set up.  IF YOU HAVE TAKEN AN INSTRUCTOR-LED BASIC PISTOL CLASS WITHIN THE LAST 5 YEARS, YOU ARE EXEMPT. We will need a copy of your certificate(s).  We try to complete all prerequisites during this day. (See below.) 

NOTE:  As of August 28, 2020, the NRA requirement is that you successfully complete either the Instructor-led, the Blended Learning, or the Distance Learning Basics of Pistol Course.  If you have completed the E-learning component of Blended Learning OR the Zoom/Skype portion of Distance Learning, you will still need to complete the IN-CLASSROOM & SHOOTING portions.  Attending the Instructor-led class the day before the Instructor Course begins will fulfill that requirement.  Please contact us for details.  

Basic Instructor Training (BIT) -  If you have taken BIT within the last 2 years, please let us know.  This will reduce your class by one day.  If it has been longer than 2 years, you will need to take it again.

NRA Pistol Instructor Training - NRA Pistol Instructors have a choice on how to teach the NRA Basic Pistol course. 

• Instructor-led:  This is the same class we will be focusing on & recommend strongly that you attend.

• Blended Learning:  Your basic student will take a portion online & then come to you for a thorough review of what they learned & the shooting portion.

• Distance Learning:  Your students attend the course live with you over Zoom, Skype or other online conferencing app.  Then you set up a separate time to complete the hands-on exercises & shooting.

Please note that we only teach the Instructor-led Basics of Pistol Shooting class at DSLLC.

Both the Instructor-led & Blended Learning teaching methods will be taught.

Lessons in the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Instructor Course include:

     Intro to NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Course Outline & Lesson Plans

     Instructor-Led Method:

• Teaching Pistol Lesson 1:  Pistol Knowledge & Safe Handling 
• Teaching Pistol Lesson 2:  Ammunition Knowledge & the Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting 
• Basic Pistol Shooting Instructional Method
• Teaching Pistol Lesson 3:  Shooting Positions & Shooting Qualification 
• Evaluating & Improving the Performance of Beginning Pistol Shooters
• Teaching Pistol Lesson 4:  Scoring Targets & Selecting/Maintaining a Pistol
• Teaching Pistol Lesson 5:  Continued Opportunities for Skill Development
• Using NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Course Evaluations & the Performance Requirements Checklist

     Blended Learning Method:

• Teaching Pistol Exercise I:  Firearm & Range Safety
• Teaching Pistol Exercise II:  Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting & Basic Pistol Shooting Instructional Method
• Teaching Pistol Exercise III:  Loading, Cocking, De-cocking, Unloading & Pistol Maintenance
• Teaching Pistol Exercise IV:  Shooting Positions & Shooting Qualification

Prerequisites (Will be completed immediately after the Instructor-led BoPS class):

• Successful completion of the BoPS class.  (If not taken here, we will need a copy of your completion certificate[s].)  You must achieve at least a 90% on the written test.

• Attain a minimum score of 80% on the NRA Pre-Course Qualification:
  •  Loading/Unloading - Safely load & unload a single action revolver, a double action revolver, & a semi-automatic pistol.
  • Clearing Common Pistol Stoppages - Demonstrate how to safely clear a common pistol stoppage using a semi-automatic pistol.  These stoppages include Failure to Fire & Double Feed Drills.
  • Pistol Shooting - You will shoot any handgun of your choice, regardless of action, sights or caliber, at a blank 9-inch diameter paper target at a distance of 15 yards.
    • You will fire 20 shots from a two-handed, unsupported, standing position.  In order for a hit to count, it must fall inside a ½” border from the edge of the plate. Shots that break the edge of the ½” border will count as hits.  All scoring hits on a target must be within a 6” or less extreme spread.  Minimum score required is 80% (16/20 shots).
    • Two re-qualification shoots are allowed within any 24-hour period.
    • (Use of a .22 is recommended.)
    • As an alternate to the NRA Pre-Course Shooting Qualification, you may provide documented proof of Classified Sharpshooter or better in NRA Conventional or Action Pistol, Classified Marksman or better in International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) or Classified "C" or better in US Practical Shooting Association (USPSA)/International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) or a certification as an NRA LEO Handgun/Shotgun or Tactical Handgun certified instructor.
  • Failure to successfully complete the prerequisites will result in the forfeiture of your deposit due to the time & expenses involved for the NRA Training Counselor to conduct these tests.

You will need to provide:

• A 2” 3-ring binder with the PowerPoint/Lesson Plans inserted OR downloaded to a tablet/laptop  (These will be emailed to you.  Power outlets are available for your use.)
• A 1" 3-ring binder (for BIT class materials)
• A pen & a different colored highlighter than you used in the BoPS class
• Your Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook (Provided in your BoPS class)
• IF YOU DID NOT TAKE BoPS WITH DSLLC, YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATION WITH US.  Please bring your pistol, at least 100 rounds of ammo, & eyes/ears.  A .22 is strongly recommended.  Scopes & red dots ARE allowed.

Reminders:

Package pricing includes the Instructor-led Basic Pistol Class, BIT (if necessary), the Pistol Instructor Course, Lunches & Range Fees.

If you have already taken the Basics of Pistol Shooting class, let us know.  This will reduce your course fee & save you a day.  We will need a copy of your certificate(s).  If it has been longer than 5 years since your BoPS class, you will need to complete all of the Basic Shooting Qualifications, including the BoPS class as a safety/knowledge precaution.  (There's been a tremendous number of changes to the program.)

If you have had BIT within the last 2 years, this will reduce your time by a day.  (We don't charge for BIT, so, no, it won't save you any on the class fee.  Sorry...)  If it has been longer than 2 years since your last BIT class, you will need to take it again.

Only "dummy" ammunition is allowed in the classroom.

The NRA requires that a minimum of 4 people must register in order for an Instructor course to hold.  Registration ends 72 hours before the BoPS class starts.

Shooting exercises are conducted at an outdoor range.  Please dress appropriately.  Eye & ear protection is required.  We recommend a high-necked shirt.  Hot brass can blister.  Flip-flops, sandals & bare feet will not be allowed.  You must wear full-coverage shoes such as tennis shoes.

NRA Processing/Certification Fees are not included.  You will pay this directly to the NRA after your class is completed.

• Fees for your first NRA Instructor certification are $35 for NRA Members & $60 for Non-NRA Members.            
• Additional NRA Instructor certifications are $15 for NRA Members & $30 for Non-NRA Members.
• Certifications are valid for 2 years.  All certifications will expire on the same date.  Re-certification fees are a flat $60.  (You do NOT have to take the class again.)       

There is a $50 (minimum) non-refundable deposit required for registration.  If you are unable to attend the class after registering, this deposit will be applied to your next registration.