Basic Pistol – One Day (Atlanta, IN)

Basic Pistol Overview

Prerequisites: None

Estimated Ammunition Required: About 200 rounds/day.

Pistol Requirements: You will need a safe pistol with at least five round capacity to fully participate in this course. Pistols should be of a modern, drop safe design. Rimfire caliber pistols are recommended for new shooters.

Older single action pistols manufactured before the 1980s and lacking a transfer bar safety are the most common type of pistol that lack drop safe design features, as do some military surplus imports from Eastern bloc countries and Taurus PT-series pistols not fixed during an international safety recall in 2015. These pistols may discharge if dropped and pose a potential safety hazard to our volunteers and students, and are not permitted. If you have concerns about the safety features of your pistol you should have it inspected by an armorer or gunsmith before class.

Required Equipment: Please review our suggestions for appropriate Basic Pistol equipment and plan to bring the following:

• at least two magazines for your pistol
• a way to take notes and to mark targets
• hearing protection
• eye protection
• plenty of your preferred method of hydration (both plain water and something to replace electrolytes you will lose via sweating is ideal)
• clothing appropriate for the weather (loose fitting clothing, especially around the neck, is discouraged as hot brass can lodge against the skin and cause a burn)
• closed toe shoes

We will not be drawing from the holster in this class and we will run a “cold range.” You will not need a holster to participate in the class activities.

Optional Equipment: The following equipment is not required but may come in handy at the event:

• case for your pistol
• T50 compatible stapler
• hat with a brim (to deflect flying hot brass)
• folding chair
• lunch
• snacks
• sunscreen and/or bug spray

Loaner Firearms: loaner firearms suitable for use at this event are generally available but limited. Please contact the Event Director prior to the event if you would like to request a loaner firearm.

Overview: This course, based on traditional American service pistol fundamentals, teaches “Hits Count!” This course lays a sound foundation for students to shoot groups under time pressure from a practical stance. Basic Pistol includes classroom and range time learning to shoot handguns. Students learn:

• Rules for safe gun handling & range rules
• Pistol parts and operation
• Shooting fundamentals: Five steps to firing each shot
• Two Handed Grip & Stance: Isosceles and Weaver positions
• Shot Group Analysis
• Clearing Common Stoppages
• Whittemore’s Stand Pistol Qualifier

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere or other stories

Paul Revere did not ride alone – many individuals played crucial roles in the events of April 19th, 1775. Exciting tales will be woven throughout the day’s marksmanship events.

Additional Event Information

This event is appropriate for brand new shooters as well as experienced shooters who wish to brush up on fundamentals. Rimfire caliber pistols are strongly recommended.

Additional Range Information

A gate code will be provided to enter the facilities for this event. Please arrive for event check in by 8:30 am.

Win a Copy of “Paul Revere’s Ride”

Our history presentations are based on “Paul Revere’s Ride” by David Hackett Fischer, a thoroughly researched recounting of the events leading up to the historic skirmishes between Patriots and Red Coats at Concord and Lexington on April 19, 1775.

“The true story of Paul Revere’s ride is very different from the popular myth of the lone rider of the Revolution…This is a tale of contingency, with great events hanging in the narrow balance. It is the story of free people, making hard choices. Most of all, it is about America’s half-remembered heritage of collective action in the cause of freedom. When Paul Revere and his many friends alarmed the Middlesex countryside, they were carrying that message for us.”

We will be giving away a softcover copy of “Paul Revere’s Ride” to one lucky participant at this event.