NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course

Springfield 1911A1 and Ruger Blackhawk

When it comes to shooting, I'm always learning and wanting to know more. Another thing I like doing is sharing the learned shooting skills and techniques. A first time owner or beginner to pistols should really look at taking a basic pistol course. There are plenty out there. Some just right for the beginner and others that try to make you a tacti-cool fool. To the noob's benefit, the NRA has a network of certified pistol instructors across the United States that teach basic pistol shooting. Finding one is as easy as searching the course listings for your area.

I became an NRA certified Basic Pistol Instructor about a year ago because I wanted to have something to back up what I was showing and imparting on new shooters. Sure I had been to half a dozen week long courses, but the most that got me was a certificate of completion or some sort of bragging rights as the result of a competition. I'm not even a member of the NRA, either. Huh, what?! Yeah, not even a card-carrying member.

The Basic Pistol Shooting course is meant to teach the knowledge, skills, and attitude for owning and operating a pistol. What's great about the 8+ hour course is that it introduces different actions and types of pistols. From single action revolvers to double action semi-autos, the course gives a good overview. Proper aiming, stance, and even cleaning is introduced. Above all, firearms safety is foremost in all the instruction. A good instructor worth a crap will have each type of pistol talked about with the opportunity for the students to get hands on time. There is a qualification associated with successful completion of the course. In many states this suffices for demonstrating competency with a firearm for concealed carry permits and licenses. I know in the communist state of Maryland, course completion is sufficient to purchase a handgun.

I'd really encourage someone thinking about buying a gun to attend an NRA basic pistol course before buying their first handgun because of the different actions shown and personal experiences of the instructors. Or you could just let these fools show you how to shoot.