CCW/NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Course

2-in-1 course for beginners to occasional shooters

This comprehensive 2-in-1 course combines the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting program with our full CCW (Concealed Carry Weapons) curriculum at no additional cost. It is designed for beginners through occasional shooters who want to build a solid foundation in pistol handling, safety, and marksmanship while also completing the training required for a Colorado concealed handgun permit.

If you already have professional firearms training and are comfortable handling a pistol, our standalone CCW Class may be a better fit. This course is for those who want to start from the fundamentals and work up.

Course Sections

I. Safety

The course begins with the most important topic: safety. You will learn the fundamental rules of firearm safety that apply in every situation, whether you are at the range, at home, or carrying concealed. This section covers:

  • Basic Firearm Safety — The universal safety rules, safe handling procedures, and the mindset required to handle firearms responsibly every single time
  • Safe Storage — Proper methods for storing firearms in the home, including lock boxes, safes, trigger locks, and storage protocols when children or unauthorized persons may have access

II. Knowing Your Pistol

Before you can operate a pistol effectively, you need to understand how it works. This section provides a thorough overview of pistol mechanics and ammunition:

  • Parts of a Pistol — Identification and function of all major components including the frame, slide, barrel, trigger, sights, magazine, and safety mechanisms
  • Operation — How semi-automatic pistols and revolvers function, including the firing cycle, loading, unloading, and clearing procedures
  • Ammunition — Types of ammunition, how to read ammunition markings, and how to select the correct ammunition for your firearm
  • Cartridges — The components of a cartridge (case, primer, powder, bullet), how cartridges function, and the differences between common calibers

III. Building Pistol Shooting Skills

This section develops the practical marksmanship skills you need to shoot accurately and safely:

  • Fundamentals of Shooting — Grip, stance, sight alignment, sight picture, trigger control, breathing, and follow-through. These are the core skills that determine accuracy
  • Shooting Positions — Proper technique for shooting from standing, kneeling, and other common positions
  • Common Errors — How to diagnose and correct common shooting errors such as flinching, jerking the trigger, improper grip pressure, and misaligned sights
  • Stoppages — Identification and clearance of pistol malfunctions including failure to feed, failure to eject, and double feeds using standard immediate action drills

IV. Pistol Maintenance, Selection, and Use

Owning a pistol means maintaining it properly and understanding how to select the right firearm for your needs:

  • Field stripping and cleaning procedures for common semi-automatic pistols
  • Lubrication and inspection schedules
  • How to select a pistol based on your intended use, hand size, and experience level
  • Recommended accessories and upgrades

V. CCW (Concealed Carry Weapons)

The final section covers everything you need to know to carry a concealed weapon legally and responsibly in Colorado:

  • Methods of Carry — Inside-the-waistband, appendix, shoulder, ankle, and off-body carry options with the pros and cons of each
  • Holsters — How to select a quality concealment holster based on retention, comfort, draw speed, and safety
  • Conceal Carry Laws — Colorado permit requirements, reciprocity agreements, prohibited locations, signage, and your obligations during law enforcement encounters
  • Legal Use of Force — When deadly force is legally justified in Colorado, the self-defense statutes, the Make My Day law, and the legal standard for reasonable fear
  • Scenarios — Real-world scenario discussions that challenge you to apply the legal and tactical concepts from the course to make sound decisions under pressure

Requirements

To participate in the live-fire portion of this course, you will need:

  • A pistol (semi-automatic or revolver)
  • 100 rounds of factory ammunition appropriate for your firearm
  • Eye and ear protection

Do NOT bring ammunition into the classroom. Ammunition is only permitted on the range during the live-fire portion of the course.

Ready to enroll? Call us at (303) 953-1958 to reserve your spot.