NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Instructor Course

July 12, 2026  8 am - 7 pm

Cost $150 for members, $250 for non-members

Register for class on Wild Apricot

Contact Dave Reed at davereed2010@gmail.com

NO LIVE AMMUNITION ALLLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM

Students must have completed NRA Basic Instructor Training within the 24 months before this course.

You have the knowledge about guns, now learn how to teach others. This interactive course is the third and final class required to become Basics of Pistol Shooting Instructor. You must have completed the Basic Instructor Training in the last two years, and completed the Basics of Pistol Shooting course as a student.

You will need a handgun, 200 rounds of ammunition, several magazines/speed loaders (show up to class with all but one of them loaded), range appropriate clothing, eye and ear protection, note taking materials, and all the food / beverages you need to get through the day. We will not have time to leave the range for lunch. Having your laptop computer will be EXTREMELY beneficial during the class.

You will be teaching during this class, be prepared.

PISTOL INSTRUCTOR CANDIDATES:
PISTOL INSTRUCTOR PRE-QUALIFICATION TEST - Demonstrate ability to load and unload: Single Action Revolver, Double Action Revolver and Semi-Automatic Pistol
Demonstrate proper procedures to clear the following stoppages with a semi-automatic pistol: Failure to fire (Misfire), Double Feed
Shooting qualification: Candidate will shoot any centerfire handgun of their choice, regardless of action, sights or caliber, at a blank 9 inch diameter paper target at a distance of 15 yards.  Candidates will fire 20 shots from a two-handed, unsupported, standing position.  Targets will be broken into two ten shot targets or four five-shot targets.  Three points will be given for each scoring hit.  In order for a hit to count, it must fall inside a ½” border from the edge of the plate.  Shots that break the edge of the ½” border will count as hits.  All scoring hits on a target must be within a 6” or less extreme spread (see below).  Candidates will be allowed to shoot their own firearms if desired.  Two requalification shoots are allowed within any 24-hour period.  

Candidate will be given a score of 0 for safety violations.

Some things that you could do to help make the class easier for you:
1. Go touch, handle, fondle, caress as many different types of
handguns as possible. This includes single action and double action revolvers, single action, double action/single action, double action only and striker fired semi-auto pistols. Get the basic idea of how to load, unload and fire the different types of guns if at all possible. Hangout at your local gun store and ask lots of questions.
2. Shoot as many different types of these guns as possible.
3. Get as much range time in as you can, either at our range or anywhere else and practice with your center-fire handgun shooting groups at 15 yards.