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

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

Orientation Goal: To introduce the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to safely own and use your rifle. l Schedule l Facilities l Fit l Basic handbooks

Lesson 1 l Safety Rules l Rifle Parts l Rifle 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 Rifle Parts…Major Components l Stock l Barrel l Action

Lesson 1 Rifle Parts… Stock  Butt  Comb  Grip (wrist)  Fore-end (or Fore-arm)

Lesson 1 Rifle Parts…Barrel  Muzzle  Breech  Chamber  Bore  Rifling  Sights

Lesson 1 Rifle Parts…Action  Receiver  Bolt/breech block  Trigger  Trigger guard  Magazine  Safety

Lesson 1 Rifle Operation lLoading lUnloading

Review Lesson 1 – Safety, Parts & Operation l Safety Rules l Rifle Parts l Rifle 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 chamber

Ammunition Potential ammunition malfunctions l Misfire l Hangfire

Ammunition Potential ammunition malfunctions Squib load

Shooting Fundamentals Physical Characteristics l Dominant eye? l Shooting hand?

Shooting Fundamentals The Five Fundamentals of Rifle Shooting 1. Position 2. Breath Control 3. Aiming 4. Trigger Squeeze 5. Follow Through

Shooting Fundamentals 1. Position -- body  Comfortable, balanced relaxed; bone-bone support; aligned with target  Both elbows on bench  Shooting hand grasping the grip  Non-shooting hand?  Head erect

Shooting Fundamentals 1. Position -- rifle Rifle positioned firmly against the shoulder Grip of the stock grasped with lower three fingers, thumb on top Fore-end lies on relaxed non-shooting hand

Shooting Fundamentals 2. 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 3. Aiming -- Sight Alignment

o Eye relief o Cheek placement o Target, front sight and rear sight aligned

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

Shooting Fundamentals 4. Trigger Squeeze Don’t use the “P” word!!! Pad of index finger on trigger—clear of the stock Gradually increasing pressure STRAIGHT BACK until the mechanism releases SURPRISE yourself when the gun shoots

Shooting Fundamentals The Five Fundamentals of Rifle Shooting 1. Position 2. Breath Control 3. Aiming 4. Trigger Squeeze 5. 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 l Be sure the gun is safe to operate l Know how to use the gun safely l Use only the correct ammunition l Know your target and what is beyond it l Wear hearing and eye protection l Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting l Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons l ***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 Shooting Position l Study the position l Practice without a rifle l Practice with an unloaded rifle l Align to the target 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 Three Round Exercise & adjust sights l Off-hand (standing) Position

Lesson 4 l Rifle care and cleaning l Rifle storage l Next steps

Rifle 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 rifle is correctly assembled and functions properly

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

Rifle Cleaning Materials Needed l Soft cloth l Cleaning rod/cable l Cleaning attachments l Cloth patches l Small brush l Bore cleaner l Gun oil l Rifle Stand

Rifle Cleaning Procedures 1. Field strip (break down for cleaning) 2. Wet down bore with a wet patch 3. Brush gun and wipe off powder residue 4. Brush bore with a wet brush 5. Clean bore with dry patches until they come out clean 6. Wipe gun clean and lightly lubricate 7. Lightly oil bore (one patch, light oil) 8. Reassemble and check function

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

Rifle Storage NRA Rule: Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons l Trigger Lock l Lockable rifle case l Lockable gun rack l Safe l Separate guns and ammunition

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 lNRA Basic Rifle Shooting Course lCompetitive shooting High Power Small bore Tactical rifle, IPSC, IDPA Hunting

Review Lesson 4 – Care & Cleaning, Storage, Next Steps  Why, when and how to clean your rifle  Safe gun storage  Next steps… PRACTICE