NO AMMUNITION in the classroom NONE ! Firearms UNLOADED Action OPEN On the table in front of you

FIRST Steps Orientation (Pistol) Welcome & Registration F irearms I nstruction, R esponsibility & S afety T raining

Lesson 1 l SAFETY l Pistol Parts & Nomenclature l Pistol Operation

NRA Gun Safety Rules 1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction 2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. 3. Always keep the gun unloaded until you’re ready to use it.

Lesson 1 Pistol Parts…Revolvers l Frame Grip panels Back strap Trigger guard Rear sight l Barrel Bore Rifling Muzzle Front sight l Action Trigger Hammer Cylinder Chamber Cylinder release latch (Loading gate) (Ejector rod)

Lesson 1 Pistol Parts…Semi-automatics lFrame Safety Slide lock (De-cocker) Grip panels Back strap Trigger guard lBarrel Bore Chamber Rifling Muzzle l Action Hammer Slide Sights Ejection port Magazine Magazine release Trigger

Lesson 1 Pistol Operation l Loading Cocking Uncocking Unloading

Review Lesson 1 – Safety, Parts & Operation l Safety Rules l Pistol Parts l Pistol Operation

Lesson 2 l Ammunition Considerations l Shooting Fundamentals

Ammunition Make sure you have the correct ammunition! l Box l Cartridge case l Barrel or slide

Ammunition Potential ammunition malfunctions l Misfire l Hangfire

Ammunition Potential ammunition malfunctions Squib load

Shooting Fundamentals Physical Characteristics l Dominant eye? l Shooting hand? l The opposite strengths problem

Shooting Fundamentals The Six Fundamentals 1. Position 2. Grip (fit) 3. Sight Alignment 4. Breath Control 5. Trigger Squeeze 6. Follow Through

Shooting Fundamentals 1. Position - Consistency - Balance - Support - NPA (Natural Point of Aim) - Comfort

Shooting Fundamentals 2. Grip - “V” high on the backstrap - Lower three fingers wrap & hold - Thumb & middle finger touch -Wrap the four fingers of weak hand around lower three fingers of the strong hand -- Thumbs on the same side of the pistol

Shooting Fundamentals 3. Sight Alignment

l Target, front sight and rear sight aligned l “Six o’clock” hold, or “center of mass” hold

Shooting Fundamentals 3. Sight Alignment Focus is on the… front sight

Shooting Fundamentals 4. Breath Control Body movement affects the shot -So… quiet yourself Breathing requires muscle movement -So… shoot between breaths Breathe out part way, hold, and shoot. Don’t hold your breath too long or muscle tremors will create movement and disrupt the shot.

Shooting Fundamentals 5. Trigger Squeeze Don’t use the “P” word!!! Gradually increasing pressure until the mechanism releases SURPRISE yourself when the gun shoots

Shooting Fundamentals The Six Fundamentals 1. Position 2. Grip (fit) 3. Sight Alignment 4. Breath Control 5. Trigger Squeeze 6. Follow Through

Review Lesson 2 - Ammunition & Fundamentals l Proper Ammo l Malfunctions l Hand/eye choice l Fundamentals

Lesson 3 Practical Exercise on the Range Safety rules Range commands Learning a position Common problems Shoot the exercise Review & critique

NRA Gun Safety Rules 1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction 2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. 3. Always keep the gun unloaded until you’re ready to use it.

Other Safety Rules Be sure the gun is safe to operate Know how to use the gun safely Use only the correct ammunition Know your target and what is beyond it Wear hearing and eye protection Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons *** Other rules may apply!

Introduction to Shooting Range Commands & Procedures “Load” or “Load xx rounds” “Commence Firing” “Cease Firing” Problem? Malfunction? Dropped ammo?

Introduction to Shooting Learning a Position l Study the position l Practice without a pistol l Practice with an unloaded pistol l Test the position by live firing

Introduction to Shooting At the Firing Point TAKE YOUR TIME. KEEP YOUR COOL. l Focus on safety and the shooting fundamentals. l Strive for consistent shot groups.

Introduction to Shooting Common Problems l Flinching — anticipating the shot l Jerking — uneven trigger pull l Fatigue — man, this is work!

Review Lesson 3 - Practical Exercise on the Range l Bench rest Position l One Round Exercise l 5/6/10 Round Exercise l Two-handed Standing Position

Lesson 4 Now that you can shoot… Cleaning Storage Next Steps

Pistol Cleaning Safety Guidelines l Ammunition must not be present in the area l The gun must be unloaded l The action must be open

Pistol Care & Cleaning Purpose of Cleaning l Remove powder residue l Remove rust & crud l Protect the pistol from rust, corrosion and wear l Make sure pistol is correctly assembled and functions properly

Pistol Cleaning Materials Needed l Soft cloth l Cleaning rod l Cleaning rod attachments l Cloth patches l Small brush l Bore cleaner l Gun oil

Pistol Cleaning Procedures 1. Field strip (take down into major parts groups) for cleaning (Your firearm’s manual tells you how far to go)

Pistol Cleaning Procedures 2. Wet down bore with a wet patch 3. Brush major parts (wet?) and wipe off powder residue with cloth 4. Brush bore with a wet brush 5. Clean bore with dry patches until they come out clean 6. Wipe parts clean and lightly lubricate including bore (one patch, light oil)

Pistol Cleaning Procedures 7. Reassemble and check function Are all parts correctly installed—nothing left over? Do all features work, especially safeties? Does it operate in single & double action? Does it operate with a magazine removed? 8. Store with springs relaxed, I.e. hammer down, trigger released, etc.

Health and Hygiene Considerations l Avoid eating, drinking or smoking while shooting or cleaning firearms l After shooting and cleaning firearms wash hands and face before eating or drinking. l Change clothes and shower after a shooting session

Pistol Storage NRA Rule: Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons 1. LOCK IT UP! - Lockable gun case or rug - Trigger lock - Any lockable box 2. Separate guns from ammunition

Pistol Storage NRA Rule: Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons Lock Box Safe

Next Steps How to keep what you’ve learned: Practice, practice, practice. Use big close targets, don’t lose bullets First practice skills you’re weak in. Accuracy first, then speed!

Next Steps Additional Training l NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course l NRA Personal Protection Course l Competitive shooting (IPSC, IDPA, SASS, etc.)