Pro2A

I had the opportunity to take an NRA basic pistol class for today and tomorrow. I signed up, and paid the fee. I wanted to take the class to:

1. Brush up on what I know
2. Learn something new (and believe me I did learn some things today that I didn't know before)
3. To get a gun safety certificate so I can apply for a FL and ME non-resident permit.

The class was pretty informative. Today wasn't the part of the course that required a gun. Of course I was carrying, and before the class even started the instructor asked if anyone had their gun on them. Thinking we needed it I raised my hand. He asked where it was and I replied it was concealed on my person. An assistant escorted me back to the range to clear the weapon and had me store it in my vehicle... they said they didn't want live rounds in the room during the training part. I was a little upset, but oh well.

The class progressed and the first instructor covered the differences between semi-auto pistols and revolvers. He showed us all the parts, standard safety devices, how to load, unload, check the weapon for live rounds and how to present it to another person. He passed around a revolver and his 1911 he said was made clear back in WW1 and has possibly seen some action. We loaded it and unloaded it with the bright orange plastic dummy rounds, pretty standard stuff. I had to help the lady next to me quite a bit with the slide and putting the dummy rounds in the magazine.

We also learned about ammo. What it was, how it works, the difference between center-fire and rim-fire. What the different measurements mean. I actually learned a lot about ammo I didn’t know during this segment of the class. I never knew why some rounds were .357 and others were 9mm… and I even learned why the 7.62x39mm, 30-06 and the 7mm-08 are called what they are. We also learned a bit about jams and how to avoid squib fires etc...

The last part of the class was how to fire the gun. How to hold it properly, aim and shoot it safely. We did some eye exercises that required us to use a pen to determine if we are left or right eye dominant. I learned a lot in this section too. It probably explains why I only hit the center of the target maybe 40-50% of the time. I hope I learn more about shooting accurately tomorrow on the range.

Overall there was a lot in this course that was a refresher to what I already knew, and a lot I didn’t know.

I'm going to take the self defense class next... this is the prerequisite to the self-defense class.

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America - The Constitutionalist Free Republic
.45 Glock 36, 9mm Taurus PT111 Pro Millennium, Kel-Tec P3AT .380, Taurus 85 Revolver .38 Spc., 9mm EAA Witness, Savage .270, Savage .22, Mossburg Maverick 88 12 gauge, New England Pardner 12 gauge, WASR-10 AK-47, and a Mauser 98K 8mm

45Dave

The NRA basic pistol class is excellent, wish I had it before I started to learn my bad habits which are so hard to break. Just to let you know, part of the class outline for the NRA is to have no loaded weapons or ammunition in the class room for either the basic pistol class or the Home Personal protection. The instructors are trained to ask(it is actually in the master training manual) that early in the class like one of the first things so kudos to them for following there training. This tells me they followed the course and did not spend tons of time trying to make the course something it is not. The no ammo/loaded guns is for the classes protection and safety, all it takes is one person to forget his weapon is loaded and you can have a discharge in a small quarters with lots of people, not good. I am an NRA instructor and have had to ask people to unload guns, take ammo out and for the most part people understand.
Pro..got to give you credit for keeping an open mind and willing to learn, it is a huge help for the instructors and it seems there is always something good to be picked up in most classes.

Supertac45

It's pretty basic and really not designed to be taken by a gun user that knows anything beyond what a gun is.

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Les Baer 45
Sig Man
N.R.A. Patron Life Member
M.C.R.G.O.

Pro2A

I still learned a lot. Mostly on how to aim better and a lot about ammunition.

__________________
America - The Constitutionalist Free Republic
.45 Glock 36, 9mm Taurus PT111 Pro Millennium, Kel-Tec P3AT .380, Taurus 85 Revolver .38 Spc., 9mm EAA Witness, Savage .270, Savage .22, Mossburg Maverick 88 12 gauge, New England Pardner 12 gauge, WASR-10 AK-47, and a Mauser 98K 8mm

Bline

Everything helps... I knew my way around a pistol but the course really solidified some things and I learned a ton, especailly about handling revolvers, which I hadn't been doing correctly. I commend you for not being too proud to learn what you didn't know.

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In God we trust, everyone else keep your hands where I can see them.

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Mo

I'm looking forward to teaching my first Basic Pistol classes this summer. I just got my certification certificate and ID card last week. I think you're right in that a lot of gun owners may think they are familiar with pistols because they own and shoot one, but this class is an intro to all types of pistols, all types of ammo and the standard shooting positions. I also love it because it introduces you to the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program, which is a great way to keep up with your skills and advance them alone or in small groups with a form of formal recognition in the patches (rockers) you earn.

Kudos for taking the time to establish a firm foundation with your instruction!

crzy4guns

I am glad to hear that this class was helpful to you, so many people think they know how to operate a firearm just by watching tv or the movies.

DCJS Instructor

Pro2A,

How about an AAR on the class?


Tom Perroni

Trope

I took it after getting my license to carry. I wish I had taken it sooner, but it was still a good class. I already knew quite a bit, but learning on one's own is kind of like swiss cheese. I had most of the knowledge, but there were still some small holes to fill in.

JonInNY

I remember that class... it's always helpful to reinforce "the rules" and other basic info. You can never be too safe.

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