1. NRA BB Gun /Air Rifle Home Course Instructions COURSE OUTLINE & LESSON PLANS NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION Youth Programs 11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax, Virginia 22030-7400 Telephone: (703) 267-1550; FAX: (703) 267-3999 Produced by the Youth Programs Department of the Education & Training Division A Publication of the National Rifle Association 1

2. 2 See Note Page for Course Introduction, Policies and Conduct.

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5. See note page for required materials and equipment 5

6. Next Slide Starts the Presentation  Follow the prompts on the note pages when presenting the lessons. 6

7. 7 NRA BB Gun /Air Rifle Home Course Instructions

8. 8 Orientation Goal To provide beginning shooters with the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to shoot an air rifle safely under the direct supervision of an Adult.

9. 9 NO AMMUNITION in the classroom NONE ! Firearms UNLOADED Action OPEN On the table in front of you  No pellets/projectiles in the rifle

10. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS 10  Policy Regarding no Ammunition in the Classroom  Restrooms and Drinking Fountains  Emergency Telephones and Exits  Policy Regarding Refreshment/Snack  Schedule for breaks and Lunch  Air Conditioning and Heating Adjustments  Policy Regarding Cell Phones or Pagers  Handbooks

11. 11 Lesson I: Introduction to BB/Air Rifle Safety, Parts, and Operation As a result of this lesson, participants will be able to:  State the goal of the BB/Air Rifle Home Course Instructions Class  Name the three fundamental NRA rules of safe gun handling and demonstrate them with a specific air rifle model.  Name the three major components of an BB gun Air Rifle and describe their functions.  Safely demonstrate how to handle a specific BB gun or Air Rifle in a safe manner.

12. 12 SAFETY!!! is ALWAYS the primary concern when handling firearms, whether the guns are located in the home, at the range or in the field! WHAT do you think is the PRIMARY concern when handling firearms?

13. 13 Major Causes for Accidents 1.Ignorance – the lack of knowledge of firearm safety or operation 2.Carelessness – Failure to apply one’s knowledge when handling firearms!

14. 14 Accidents? What do you think are the major causes of gun accidents?

15. 15 NRA Gun Safety Rules  ALWAYS keep your gun pointed in a safe direction  ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot  ALWAYS keep your gun unloaded until ready to use

16. 16 Rifle Parts…Air Rifle Front Sight Muzzle Butt Loading Port Toe Pellet Magazine Trigger Trigger Guard Safety Forearm Barrel Comb Grip Rear Sight Chamber Piercing Tube Cap Pump Lever Barrel Break Action

17. Demonstrate Air Rifle Operation Instructor demonstration only  Simulate loading  Cocking  Firing “Dry-fire only”  Check the Owner Manual to ensure you can dry-fire your air rifle.  Unloading During Live-fire on the range, your instructor will load and unload the air rifle for you. 17

18. 18 Review Lesson I – Safety, Parts & Operation  Safety Gun Handling Rules  Parts  Operation What are your Question? Next lesson is the Introduction to Ammunition and the Fundamentals of Air Rifle Shooting

19. 19 Lesson II: Introduction to Ammunition and The Fundamentals of Air Rifle Shooting As a result of this lesson, participants will be able to:  Identify the three items to check to determine the proper ammunition for their BB/Air Rifle  Identify and define the two major types of air rifle malfunctions and explain how to respond safely when they occur.  Determine the dominant eye.  Explain the fundamentals of rifle shooting and demonstrate them from the benchrest position.

20. 20 Picture from Federal Cartridge Ammunition Parts of the Pellet Head Skirt Waist

21. 21 Air Rifle Ammunition Potential ammunition malfunctions  Air Rifle MISFIRE: AN Air Rifle MISFIRE IS THE FAILURE OF THE GUN TO PROPEAL THE PELLET OUT OF THE CHAMBER OF THE GUN.  Action to take: THE GUN SHOULD BE KEPT POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. RAISE YOUR HAND TO NOTIFY THE RANGE SAFETY OFFICE YOU NEED HELP. THE INSTRUCTOR WILL DIRECT YOU TO RECOCK THE GUN AND REFIRE.  Air Rifle SQUIB LOAD: A SQUIB LOAD IS WHEN AN Air Rifle DEVELOPS LESS THAN NORMAL PRESSURE, AND RESULTS IN THE PELLET FAILING TO EXIT THE MUZZLE AND LODGING IN THE BORE.  IF SIGNS OF A SQUIB LOAD ARE ENCOUNTERED: REDUCED NOISE  Action to take: THE GUN SHOULD BE KEPT POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. RAISE YOUR HAND TO NOTIFY THE RANGE SAFETY OFFICE YOU NEED HELP. THE INSTRUCTOR WILL DIRECT YOU TO:  OPEN THE ACTION OF THE Air Rifle  CHECK THE BORE FOR PELLET.  KEEP THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION PUSH PELLET OUT OF BARRELL.  RELOAD AND FIRE.

22. 22  Extend arms forward and form opening between the hands  With both eyes open, look at a distant object through opening  Bring hands to face while looking at object – Opening will be aligned with the dominant eye Shooting Fundamentals Determining the Dominant Eye

23. 23  Feet flat on the ground with the legs relaxed.  Seated directly behind the front support, leaning slightly forward.  Butt of the air rifle in the shoulder close to neck.  Elbows on the table to support the air rifle.  Support hand under the Forearm.  Trigger hand.  Face firmly against the stock with eye looking straight down the sights. Bench Rest Position

24. 24 Prone Supported Position  Position is 45 degrees off the firing line.  Feet and legs are flat on the ground with the legs relaxed.  Butt of the air rifle in the shoulder close to neck.  Elbows on the ground to support the air rifle.  Support hand under the Forearm.  Trigger hand.  Face firmly against the stock with eye looking straight down the sights.

25. 25 Air Rifle Shooting Fundamentals 1. AIMING (sight alignment & sight picture) 2. BREATH CONTROL 3. HOLD CONTROL 4. TRIGGER CONTROL 5. FOLLOW-THROUGH

26. FUNDAMENTALS “Aiming” Notch Rear and Post Front Sight FRONT SIGHT IS IN SHARP FOCUS Sight Alignment Sight Picture 6 O'clock Hold on the Bullseye With Post-and-Notch sights: The tops of the front and rear sights are even The front post is centered in the rear notch

27. FUNDAMENTALS “Aiming” Aperture Rear and Post Front Sight FRONT SIGHT IS IN SHARP FOCUS Sight Alignment Sight Picture 6 O'clock Hold on the Bullseye Aperture Rear and Post Front Sight The tops of the front is center in the rear sights aperture

28. FUNDAMENTALS “Aiming” Aperture Rear and Aperture Front Sight FRONT SIGHT IS IN SHARP FOCUS Sight Alignment Sight Picture Bullseye is center in the front sight aperture Aperture Rear and Post Front Sight The front aperture is center in the rear sights aperture

29. FUNDAMENTALS “Aiming” Scope FOCUS ON THE CROSS HAIRS Sight Alignment Sight Picture Cross Hairs are centered on the target Looking through the scope, You see the whole scope tube (not just small hole in tube)

30. 30 Body movement while breathing can produce gun movement that impairs shooting.  Stop breathing momentarily while firing the shot! (Respiratory pause, a moment between breaths) Shooting Fundamentals Breath Control

31. 31 Shooting Fundamentals Hold Control Body movement affects the shot.  Hold your body still.  Hold control allows you to maintain the proper sight picture and sight alignment during the process of firing the shot.

32. 32 Shooting Fundamentals Trigger Control  Trigger is moved straight to the rear in a smooth, continuous manner without disturbing the sight alignment.  Gradually and evenly increasing pressure until the BB gun/Air Rifle fires. SURPRISE yourself when the gun shoots.

33. Shooting Fundamentals Follow-Through In Air Rifle Shooting: Follow-through means to maintain aiming (perfect sight alignment and acceptable sight picture), breath control, hold control, and trigger control until the gun settles back into the aiming area after firing. 33

34. 34 Shooting Fundamentals The Fundamentals…A Review 1.“Maintaining perfect sight alignment and acceptable sight picture.” – 2.“Stop breathing.” – 3.“Holding still.” – 4.“Moving only your trigger finger.” – 5. maintain position, and continue aiming, breath control, hold control, and trigger control until the gun settles back into the aiming area after the shot is fired.” – AIMING BREATH CONTROL HOLD CONTROL TRIGGER CONTROL FOLLOW-THROUGH

35. 35 Most Important Fundamentals! NOTE – The TWO most IMPORTANT shooting fundamentals are……..  “Maintaining sight alignment” – AIMING  “Moving only the trigger finger” – TRIGGER CONTROL

36. 36 Review Lesson II – Safety, Parts & Operation  Identify in the ammunition for your air rifle  Ammunition malfunctions  Eye dominance  Fundamentals of shooting What are your Question? Next lesson is the Introduction to Rifle Shooting from the Benchrest Position

37. 37 Lesson III: Introduction to Air Rifle Shooting from the Benchrest Position As a result of this lesson, participants will be able to:  Understand the range and range layout.  Explain the three basic range commands, the procedures to be followed if one has a problem with a firearm or drops ammunition, and any applicable range rules which apply to the facility being used.  Safely shoot a target from the benchrest position using the fundamentals of air rifle shooting.

38. 38 Range Safety Briefing Range layout Ready Area Firing Line Target Area Back Stop Restroom

39. 39 Range Safety Briefing NRA 3 Gun Safety Rules  ALWAYS keep your gun pointed in a safe direction.  ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.  ALWAYS keep your gun unloaded until ready to use.

40. 40 Range Safety Briefing Range Commands  “Load”  “Commence Firing”  “Cease Firing”  Problem with Air Rifle

41. RULES FOR USING AND STORING A GUN  When you are shooting -- whether hunting, recreational practicing, or competing -- these rules must always be followed: 1. Know your target and what is beyond 2. Know how to use your gun safely 3. Be sure the gun is safe to operate

42. RULES FOR USING AND STORING A GUN Continued” 4. Use only the correct ammunition for your gun 5. Wear eye and hearing protection as appropriate 6. Never use alcohol or drugs before, or while shooting 7. Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons 8. Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.

43. 43 At The Firing Point Eight Steps in learning a shooting position 1. Study the characteristics of the position. 2. Practice the position without the air rifle. Focus on correct position of body 3. Practice the position with the air rifle. 4. Align position to the target. Adjust the position to the Natural Point of Aim. 5. Dry-fire at the blank target: Review Aiming, Breath Control, Hold Control, Trigger Control and Follow-through. 6. Live-fire at the Blank target -five shots 7. Adjust sight (Zero the rifle): Move the group to the center of the target. 8. Resume live fire exercise

44. 44  Feet flat on the ground with the legs relaxed.  Seated directly behind the front support, leaning slightly forward.  Butt of the air rifle in the shoulder close to neck.  Elbows on the table to support the air rifle.  Support hand under the Forearm.  Trigger hand holds the grip.  The entire weigh of your head should rest on the stock, with your eye looking straight through the sights. Study the characteristics of the position.

45. 45 Practice the Position Without the Air Rifle  Pretend you have an invisible air rifle and focus on the correct position of your body.  Feet flat on the ground with the legs relaxed.  Seated directly behind the front support, leaning slightly forward.  Air Rifle butt firmly in your shoulder close to your neck.  Elbows on the table to support the air rifle.  Support hand under the rifle forearm.  Firm grip on the air rifle with the trigger hand.  Move your head to the approximate area of the gun stock.

46. 46 Practice the position with the air rifle.  ALWAYS keep your gun pointed in a safe direction  Keep the air rifle pointed straight down range  ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot  Your trigger finger is straight and positioned along side the receiver  Focus on correct position of your body.  Feet flat on the ground with the legs relaxed.  Sitting directly behind the front support, leaning slightly forward.  Butt of the air rifle firmly against the shoulder close to your neck.  Elbows on the table to support the air rifle.  Support hand under the forearm of the air rifle.  Firm grip on the air rifle with your trigger hand.  Face firmly against the stock with eye looking straight down the sights.

47. Align position to the target Natural point of aim  ALIGN THE POSITION TO THE TARGET  The area on the target that the air rifle naturally points to when the shooter relaxes in position. Shooter is pushing the air rifle into the middle of the target, when relaxed the rifle would naturally lay to the right of the center Shooter is pulling the rifle into the middle of the target, when relaxed the air rifle would naturally lay to the left of the center (some body adjustment may be required) Natural point of aim Center of target

48. 48 Dry-fire  Check your Natural Point of Aim  Dry-fire at the blank target  The blank target will help you to focus on sight alignment (the relationship between the front and rear sights)  When the trigger breaks the whole position should not move! The front and rear sight should remain aligned!  Fundamental of Shooting are: 1. “Maintaining perfect sight alignment and acceptable sight picture.” 2. “Stop breathing.” – respiratory pause 3. “Holding still.” – 4. “Moving only your trigger finger.” – 5. “To maintain position, and continue aiming, breath control, hold control, and trigger control until the gun settles back into the aiming area after the shot is fired.” –

49. 49 Live-fire at a blank target  Exercise Requirements:  From a benchrest or prone supported position  Shoot five – three shot groups  Each group must be small enough to be covered by a quarter to count.  “Commence Firing”  Inspect down range area prior to commencing fire to ensure no one is down range.  “Cease Firing”  Inspect each air rifle to ensure they empty prior to letting anyone go down range to change targets.

50. 50 Resume live fire exercise at Bullseye Target  Resume live firing exercise  Requirements:  From a benchrest, or prone, supported position  Shoot five – five shot groups  Each five shot group must be smaller than a quarter and in the center of the bullseye to count.  “Commence Firing”  Inspect down range area prior to commencing shooting to ensure no one is down range.  “Cease Firing”  Inspect each air rifle to ensure it is empty prior to letting anyone go down range to change targets.

51. Adjusting the sights “Zeroing the air rifle”  Calling the shot, using the "Clock System."  Locate the center of the group.  Use the clock system to locate shots  Move the rear in the direction you want to move the impact. x 3 9 4 57 8 10 6 12 1 11 Rear Sight Move left Move Down STEP 1 STEP 2STEP 3

52. 52 Review Lesson III: Introduction to Air Rifle Shooting from the Benchrest Position  What are the three basic range commands?  8 NRA Rules to be followed when shooting and storing an air rifle  What have you learned from your practice of the fundamentals of air rifle shooting? What are your Questions? Next lesson is the Introduction to Cleaning, Storage, and Training Opportunities

53. 53 Lesson IV: Introduction to Air Rifle Cleaning, Storage, and Training Opportunities As a result of this lesson, participants will be able to:  Importance of Cleaning your firearm.  Outline the three safety guidelines to be followed when cleaning an air rifle.  Identify materials needed to clean an air rifle.  Explain and demonstrate how to clean an air rifle safely.  Name the NRA rule for safe firearm storage, and discuss options for applying this rule when storing an air rifle.  Discuss the hygienic guidelines to be followed concerning exposure to airborne particulate lead, or cleaning solvents.  Discuss the benefits of receiving additional air rifle training through the NRA Basic Firearm Training Program.

54. 54 Importance of Cleaning Purpose of Cleaning  Remove metal fouling  Remove rust & crud  Protect the air rifle from rust, corrosion and wear  Make sure air rifle is correctly assembled and functions properly

55. 55 1.Gun Oil. (designed for Air Guns) 2.Clean cloth. 3.Small brush. 4.Other materials as indicated by Owners Manual. Air Rifle Cleaning Materials

56. 56 Safety Guidelines While Cleaning  The action must be open  The gun must be unloaded  BB’s and Pellets must not be present in the area

57. 57 1.Consult your owners manual for the proper cleaning procedure for your air rifle. 2.Use small brush and solvent to clean other parts and metal surfaces. (Air Gun Solvent only) 3.Be careful to not get solvent on seals. 4.Wipe metal parts with a lightly oiled cloth. Air Rifle Cleaning Procedures

58. 58 Hygienic guideline to be followed for exposure to airborne particulate lead, or cleaning solvents  Hygiene Considerations  Avoid eating, drinking or putting anything in you mouth while shooting or cleaning BB/air guns  After shooting and cleaning BB/air guns, wash hands and face with cold water and soap, before eating or drinking.  Change clothes and shower after a shooting session

59. 59 Air Rifle Storage NRA Rule: Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons Lock Box Safe 1.LOCK IT UP! - Lockable gun case or rug - Trigger lock -Any lockable box 2. Store guns and ammunition separately Locking gun case

60. 60 Next Steps Additional Training  NRA Basic Rifle and Pistol Training Program Site  www.nrainstructors.org  Additional NRA Opportunities  http://home.nra.org/#/nraorg/wall/education_training http://home.nra.org/#/nraorg/wall/education_training  National Rifle Association Membership  http://home.nra.org/#/nraorg/custom/membership_imagema http://home.nra.org/#/nraorg/custom/membership_imagema  Other shooting Activities  Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program www.nrahq.org/education/training/marksmanship/index.asp

61. Optional Slides  Use the following slides to teach  How to use a sling  Prone Position with the sling  Standing position  Sitting position  Kneeling position 61

62. THE LOOP SLING  The loop sling takes longer to assume, but adds more support to the position.

63. PRONE POSITION CONSISTENCY 1. Head position 2. Shooting hand 3. Non-shooting hand 4. Rifle butt position 5. Elbow support 4. 1. 2. 3. 5. Left arm is extended elbow is close in, but not the under rifle Spine is straight Left leg is parallel to spine Right leg is parallel to left leg Right arm is extended elbow is out to the right of the body Right leg drawn up Head level

64. STANDING POSITION Head level Bone structure with the edition of a support object can build a steadier standing position than just using body structure.

65. STANDING POSITION 2 3.3. 5.5. 4. 1 Bone structure for support CONSISTENCY 1. Head position 2. Shooting hand 3. Non-shooting hand 4. Rifle butt position 5. Elbow support

66. SITTING POSITION CONSISTENCY in position 1. Head position 2. Shooting hand 3. Non-shooting hand 4. Rifle butt position 5. Elbow support Cross-Leg Position 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Cross- Ankle Position Cross-leg Supported Position

67. KNEELING POSITION CONSISTENCY in position 1. Head position 2. Shooting hand 3. Non-shooting hand 4. Rifle butt position 5. Elbow support Bone structure with the addition of a support object can build a steadier kneeling position than just using body structure. SUPPORTED KNEELING

68. KNEELING POSITION Continued CONSISTENCY in position 1. Head position 2. Shooting hand 3. Non-shooting hand 4. Rifle butt position 5. Elbow support 3. 1.1. 4.4. 5. 2. Bone structure with the addition of a support object can build a steadier kneeling position than just using body structure. SUPPORTED KNEELING 3.

69. Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program  A recreational shooting activity that provides incentive awards for developing and improving marksmanship skills.  Progression is self-paced and scores are challenging but attainable.  http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/marksmansh ip/qualbook.pdf#page=22 http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/marksmansh ip/qualbook.pdf#page=22  http://materials.nrahq.org/go/home.aspx http://materials.nrahq.org/go/home.aspx 69

70. 70 Lesson Conclusion  WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS?  Present the Home Course Instructions Air Rifle Completion Certificate.  Thank you for participating in the firearms training programs of the National Rifle Association.

71. Air Rifle 3-Position In the American Rifleman Qualification Course, air rifle shooters have two courses to choose from.  American Rifleman 3-Position Aggregate Course  American Rifleman 3-Position Stage Skill Course  http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/marksmanship/qualbo ok.pdf#page=22 http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/marksmanship/qualbo ok.pdf#page=22 71