Basic Class Descriptions

 The NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting is intended for all individuals regardless of previous shooting experience or NRA-affiliation and is available for delivery in two ways. One option is the traditional, instructor-led course where you will receive direct instruction from an NRA-certified instructor from beginning to end. The other option has two components: a self-study or “eLearning module” which is completed online in your own time frame and a hands-on practical portion conducted in a classroom and shooting range with an Instructor.  The online coupled with range time is referred to as the blended course.  The classic instructor training course is a full day and includes firearm safety, function, basic fundamentals of shooting and a live fire component.  A NRA basic pistol certification will be issued after successful completion of the course, including a 90% score on the written test.  Many states accept the NRA basic pistol course as proof of training for concealed carry so if you are interested in concealed carry, this is a good place to start.

Topic that will be covered in the NRA Basic Pistol Certification class:

• Firearm Safety
  • Basic safety
  • Firearm storage safety
• Pistol Mechanisms of Operation
  • Pistol parts and how they work
  • Semi-automatic pistol parts and how they work
  • Operating double and single action semi-automatic pistols
  • Revolver parts and how they work
  • Operating double and single action revolvers
  • Ammunition fundamentals
  • Popular pistol cartridges
• Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting
  • Fundamentals of pistol shooting
  • Fundamentals of pistol shooting positions
  • The benchrest position
  • Standing pistol shooting positions
  • One-handed shooting position
  • Common pistol shooting errors
  • Clearing common pistol stoppages
• Pistol Maintenance, Selection and Use
  • Selecting pistols, ammunition and accessories
  • Cleaning and maintaining your pistol
  • Pistol shooting activities and skill development

The NRA Basic Pistol class is the cornerstone of all my Handgun classes and satisfies the need for at least three of the five major topics described below.  For new shooters, we highly recommend taking the NRA basic pistol class first and then the South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit class.

A South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) class is required to legally carry a concealed handgun in the State.  The SC CWP class is a six to eight-hour block of instruction which includes classroom instruction on South Carolina case law, state firearm law, firearm safety, basic marksmanship, handgun mechanisms and operation, liability related to firearms issues and a component that requires the applicant demonstrate the ability to safely fire a handgun (live fire course of fire).  This class is comprised of about 6-7 hours hours of classroom instruction with one additional hour (may be less or more time) spent on the range where each student will demonstrate the safe operation and handling of a handgun (this demonstration includes a live-fire component).   The NRA basic pistol class coupled with South Carolina firearm and case law law instruction meets the requirements for an CWP in South Carolina.  

Topics covered in this class:

• statutory and case law
• SC laws governing concealed carry
• proper firearms storage
• prohibited carry locations
• liability and responsibility
• proper interaction with law enforcement officers
• four cardinal firearms safety rules
• handgun manipulation, operation and safety
• basic handgun marksmanship
• proper concealment techniques and drawing from concealment
• qualification on the range with instructor

Please note that State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has made it much easier now to apply for a CWP and get the required fingerprints done. This program is through a local company named Ident-to-go. The link to begin the new or renewal on line application is:  https://sc.ibtfingerprint.com/?RESTART&step=CWP 

Reloading is fun, it can save you money, it saves wear-and-tear on your firearms and is absolutely required for long range precision shooting.   The basic reloading course is designed for students who have no experience with the topic.  The topic covered in the basic metallic cartridge reloading course are:

• Safety while reloading
• Components of a centerfire cartridge
• How to use the reloading manual and reloading data
• Equipment for reloading centerfire cartridges
• The process of reloading
• Reloading exercise
• Examination

The basic course covers the essential process and the specific points that should be observed during the reloading process.  More advanced courses are also available if the student is interested in precision shooting.

Goal- to introduce students to the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary for owning and using a rifle safely.

During the NRA basic rifle class the student will learn;

• rifle parts and types of rifles and safe gun handling
• ammunition and fundamentals of rifle shooting
• fire the first shots from benchrest and free standing positions
• how to score targets
• selecting and maintaining a rifle
• course examination