And he said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet; and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. - Luke 22:36
NRA Defensive Pistol is a condensed one day version of the NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home course. It is a good next step in your continuing education in pistol marksmanship and self-defense training designed to be taken right after the Basic Pistol course. Defensive Pistol is designed for individuals who have made a conscientious decision to carry a pistol lawfully for personal protection in their daily lives, students who are of good repute that have decided to add a firearm to their personal protection strategies.
Defensive Pistol focuses on technique and the development of a defensive mindset. It is NRA’s response to further developing skills in Basic Pistol graduates that seek training to obtain their concealed firearms permits, and are willing to take the next step beyond the basics. The goal of the course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitude to carry and use a concealed pistol ethically, responsibly, and with confidence. There is also no requirement in this course for lengthy academics, it is basically all range time. If think you need some review we can do it at the range. This course is all about shooting and building on your basic pistol handling skills with a defensive mindset, so instead of plain paper or small bulls eye targets we shoot at Tombstone / D-1 Bianchi style targets or FBI Q targets to approximate the size of an attacker. It will help you prepare for this class to dry fire your pistol. 10 to 15 minutes at a time a few times a week in accordance with the NRA Basic Pistol Handbook will be helpful using the Chapters 10 and 11 fundamentals ("B.A.T.H.F." and "B.S.Naa.C.C.") . Commercially made training aids that may help with this are a Mantis X attachment, laser cartridges, or a SIRT pistol. Your materials packet will contain a gun safety rules card, NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home (PPOTH) handbook, Pocket Pistol Guide, course evaluation form, certificate of completion, and qualification sheet which is a written record of your final practical shooting exam that will test you in 8 timed shooting trials from concealment at various distances incorporating immediate action drills and speed reloads.
As with any firearms training course, students are encouraged to seek additional training to learn and understand the unique safety and legal issues that apply to owning and using a firearm. The handbook for this course is NRA Basics of PPOTH which is included in your packet of materials. However, the content of your handbook goes well beyond what will be taught in the NRA Defensive Pistol course. Students are encouraged to review the large amount of content in the NRA PPOTH handbook AND attend the full day and a half PPOTH course in the future. The NRA’s Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection In The Home handbook is another good reference.
No course is comprehensive or encyclopedic in content. No course or technique has a monopoly on validity. You are encouraged to seek training in as many techniques from as many sources as possible, to continue your growth as a pistol shooter, and to develop techniques that work for you.
Additionally, Defensive Pistol contains a lesson on pocket pistols. It is common for many individuals new to concealed carry to start out with the largest gun possible, only to find out how uncomfortable and heavy it can be. Later you may wish to incorporate a pocket pistol into your personal protection strategy. So NRA provides a lesson about them, what they are, and the advantages and disadvantages of carrying one.
Here is what you should bring to class with you:
Eye and ear protection - both earplugs and muffs together are quietest. Electronic earmuffs are convenient especially if used with a hook on your gun belt. An inexpensive belt clip will make life a little easier also when looking for a place to lay your earmuffs down instead of hanging them around your neck.
A solid gun belt to fit your waist size designed specifically for carrying a holster.
An outside the waistband (OWB) holster for strong side positioning designed to fit your particular pistol and covers the trigger. Inside the waist band (IWB) holsters are acceptable. Ladies may use a purse designed for concealed carry but the strong side hip holster is preferable. I will not allow shoulder rigs, gun/fanny packs, ankle holsters, small of the back, etc.
A pistol of at least 9mm if using a semi-automatic or .38 cal if using a revolver. Revolvers must be capable of double action. Single action revolvers are not permitted. Please keep it unloaded until your instructor calls for loading at the start of class.
Two extra magazines for your semi-auto pistol or speed loaders / moon clips if using a revolver.
A magazine pouch, speed loader, or moon clip holder you can attach to your gun belt on the weak hand side for the spares used in reloading.
For those of us who own magazines that are difficult to load with our thumbs, try a MagLula Uplula tool.
A vest to use as concealment that covers your belt and holster. Lightweight examples such as bicycle / mesh vests are o.k. so you don't have to spend money on an expensive special CCW vest or jacket as long as it covers the belt and holster.
Pen, pencil, and highlighter.
At least 250 cartridges of target grade ammunition.
A few snacks and water bottle.
Case for your pistol so you are not walking on to the range "armed".
Manufacturer's manual for your pistol, usually available free on their website if you do not have one.
Dummy cartridges for dry fire practice - Metal ones last longer than plastic. A-Zoom makes solid brown colored aluminum ones available from the Lyman website. Lynx and ST Action Pro's are colored brightly and made in the USA. Blue aluminum ones are not for dry fire practice but can be used for loading and unloading practice.
Cleaning kit.
Signed and dated waiver.
NRA Defensive Pistol is a condensed one day version of the NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home course. It is a good next step in your continuing education in pistol marksmanship and self-defense training designed to be taken right after the Basic Pistol course. Defensive Pistol is designed for individuals who have made a conscientious decision to carry a pistol lawfully for personal protection in their daily lives, students who are of good repute that have decided to add a firearm to their personal protection strategies.
Defensive Pistol focuses on technique and the development of a defensive mindset. It is NRA’s response to further developing skills in Basic Pistol graduates that seek training to obtain their concealed firearms permits, and are willing to take the next step beyond the basics. The goal of the course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitude to carry and use a concealed pistol ethically, responsibly, and with confidence. There is also no requirement in this course for lengthy academics, it is basically all range time. If think you need some review we can do it at the range. This course is all about shooting and building on your basic pistol handling skills with a defensive mindset, so instead of plain paper or small bulls eye targets we shoot at Tombstone / D-1 Bianchi style targets or FBI Q targets to approximate the size of an attacker. It will help you prepare for this class to dry fire your pistol. 10 to 15 minutes at a time a few times a week in accordance with the NRA Basic Pistol Handbook will be helpful using the Chapters 10 and 11 fundamentals ("B.A.T.H.F." and "B.S.Naa.C.C.") . Commercially made training aids that may help with this are a Mantis X attachment, laser cartridges, or a SIRT pistol. Your materials packet will contain a gun safety rules card, NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home (PPOTH) handbook, Pocket Pistol Guide, course evaluation form, certificate of completion, and qualification sheet which is a written record of your final practical shooting exam that will test you in 8 timed shooting trials from concealment at various distances incorporating immediate action drills and speed reloads.
As with any firearms training course, students are encouraged to seek additional training to learn and understand the unique safety and legal issues that apply to owning and using a firearm. The handbook for this course is NRA Basics of PPOTH which is included in your packet of materials. However, the content of your handbook goes well beyond what will be taught in the NRA Defensive Pistol course. Students are encouraged to review the large amount of content in the NRA PPOTH handbook AND attend the full day and a half PPOTH course in the future. The NRA’s Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection In The Home handbook is another good reference.
No course is comprehensive or encyclopedic in content. No course or technique has a monopoly on validity. You are encouraged to seek training in as many techniques from as many sources as possible, to continue your growth as a pistol shooter, and to develop techniques that work for you.
Additionally, Defensive Pistol contains a lesson on pocket pistols. It is common for many individuals new to concealed carry to start out with the largest gun possible, only to find out how uncomfortable and heavy it can be. Later you may wish to incorporate a pocket pistol into your personal protection strategy. So NRA provides a lesson about them, what they are, and the advantages and disadvantages of carrying one.
Here is what you should bring to class with you:
Eye and ear protection - both earplugs and muffs together are quietest. Electronic earmuffs are convenient especially if used with a hook on your gun belt. An inexpensive belt clip will make life a little easier also when looking for a place to lay your earmuffs down instead of hanging them around your neck.
A solid gun belt to fit your waist size designed specifically for carrying a holster.
An outside the waistband (OWB) holster for strong side positioning designed to fit your particular pistol and covers the trigger. Inside the waist band (IWB) holsters are acceptable. Ladies may use a purse designed for concealed carry but the strong side hip holster is preferable. I will not allow shoulder rigs, gun/fanny packs, ankle holsters, small of the back, etc.
A pistol of at least 9mm if using a semi-automatic or .38 cal if using a revolver. Revolvers must be capable of double action. Single action revolvers are not permitted. Please keep it unloaded until your instructor calls for loading at the start of class.
Two extra magazines for your semi-auto pistol or speed loaders / moon clips if using a revolver.
A magazine pouch, speed loader, or moon clip holder you can attach to your gun belt on the weak hand side for the spares used in reloading.
For those of us who own magazines that are difficult to load with our thumbs, try a MagLula Uplula tool.
A vest to use as concealment that covers your belt and holster. Lightweight examples such as bicycle / mesh vests are o.k. so you don't have to spend money on an expensive special CCW vest or jacket as long as it covers the belt and holster.
Pen, pencil, and highlighter.
At least 250 cartridges of target grade ammunition.
A few snacks and water bottle.
Case for your pistol so you are not walking on to the range "armed".
Manufacturer's manual for your pistol, usually available free on their website if you do not have one.
Dummy cartridges for dry fire practice - Metal ones last longer than plastic. A-Zoom makes solid brown colored aluminum ones available from the Lyman website. Lynx and ST Action Pro's are colored brightly and made in the USA. Blue aluminum ones are not for dry fire practice but can be used for loading and unloading practice.
Cleaning kit.
Signed and dated waiver.