Pistol 101
Your first day, done right.
Your first day with a handgun, run at a pace that assumes you have never touched one. Pistol 101 starts with the safety rules and how a pistol actually works, builds a grip and stance from the ground up, and finishes with coached live fire on a real standard. Six students, one instructor, and nobody watching the clock. You don't need to own a gun, or anything else — loaner pistols and eye and ear protection are here at no cost, and most people leave having fired the first rounds of their life.
Pistol 101 — for anyone brand new to handguns — or returning after years away — who wants a calm, judgment-free start. If you've been putting this off because you didn't want to be the least experienced person in the room, this is the room. $95 · Half day · 9 AM–2 PM (~5 hrs) at Double Tapp Range. Next date: Sat, Nov 7 · 9:00 AM.
What you'll learn.
Three focused blocks that build on each other, at a pace that never rushes you.
The rules that never bend.
- The four universal safety rules — and how to live them, not just recite them
- Safe loading, unloading, and clearing a malfunction
- How a pistol actually works, demystified
- How to check a firearm is unloaded, every time, without being talked through it
Grip, stance, sights, trigger.
- Building a repeatable grip and stance from the ground up
- Sight alignment and sight picture, explained simply
- Smooth trigger press — the skill that fixes most misses
- Dry practice first, so the first live round isn't the first time you try it
Your first rounds, on a real standard.
- Coached live fire at a comfortable, unrushed pace
- Reading your own target and correcting in real time
- Leaving with a clear, honest picture of your next step
- Extra time on the line if the class wants it — the schedule bends, the safety rules don't
Is this you?
Anyone brand new to handguns — or returning after years away — who wants a calm, judgment-free start. If you've been putting this off because you didn't want to be the least experienced person in the room, this is the room.
- None — this is the starting line. No prior experience expected.
- If you'd rather not learn alongside others your first time, a 2-hour private covers the same ground one-on-one.
- No gear of your own required. If you own a handgun and want to learn on it, bring it unloaded and cased — and tell us when you reserve.
- Sixteen and up. If you're 16 or 17, a parent or guardian takes the class with you as a paying student — that's two of the six seats, so tell us when you reserve.
- 50 to 75 rounds is the working minimum — bring more than that. We're not clock-watchers, and if the class wants to keep shooting at the end of the day, we keep shooting.
- You don't need to own a handgun. Loaner pistols are available at no cost and sharing is normal — plenty of students take this class having never held one.
- If you do own a handgun and want to learn on yours, bring it unloaded and cased, and tell us when you reserve.
- Eye and ear protection are available at no cost, first come. If you own a set, bring it — that's one less thing to sort out on the morning.
- Closed-toe shoes, and a shirt with a collar or a high neckline. Hot brass finds every gap.
- Water, a snack, and clothing for the weather. Double Tapp is an outdoor range with no concessions on site.
- Questions. Every one of them. There's no such thing as one that's too basic in this class.
Live dates.
Pick a date and add your seat to the cart — secure checkout on our own site.
- Sat, Nov 7 · 9:00 AM3 seats left$95
4.940 Google reviews
Man, what a great day! My wife and I decided to take Ben’s Enhanced Concealed Carry class. Ben is thorough and patient (this was my wife’s first time on a range). He made the material interesting…— Jay Lovin, 2 years agoRead our reviews on Google
Questions, answered.
I've truly never done this. Will I feel out of place?
No. This class exists for exactly that person. Most of the room is in the same boat — no ego, no rushed pace, everyone starts where they are.
Do I need to own a gun?
No. A range gun and protection can be provided so you can focus on learning. If you own one, you're welcome to bring it.
What comes after Pistol 101?
Pistol 201 is the usual next step — it reviews everything from this class, then builds the draw stroke from a holster, plus reloads and malfunction clearing, at a deliberate pace with nobody rushing you. If you're running a red dot and want it working reliably first, Red Dot Fundamentals is a good fit straight after this class too. From Pistol 201 you can head to Defensive Pistol One, Red Dot Fundamentals, or the Idaho Enhanced CCW course. We'll tell you honestly when you're ready.
What if it doesn't click on the first day?
It will, and we won't leave you behind. If you don't reach the standard, you keep training with us at no additional cost until you do.
How many rounds will I shoot?
Between 50 and 75, and that's a floor rather than a target. Bring more than the minimum — the class often wants to keep shooting once things start clicking, and we'd rather run long than send you home early.
Do I need to bring ammunition if I'm using a loaner?
Tell us when you reserve and we'll tell you exactly what to pick up, so you're not guessing in a shop aisle. We'd rather spend two minutes on that than have you arrive with the wrong box.
What time does the class actually run?
9 AM to 2 PM. That's the plan, not a countdown — I'm not a clock watcher, and if the group wants more time on the line at the end, we take it.
How many people will be in the class?
Six, maximum. That's deliberate. Six is small enough that you get hands-on coaching on your first day rather than watching someone else get it.
What if I don't own a single piece of gear?
Then you're in good company, and you're covered. A loaner pistol and eye and ear protection are available at no cost. Bring closed-toe shoes, your ammunition, and yourself.
Where this fits.
Our classes build on each other. Here's what sits either side of Pistol 101— take them in whatever order suits you, and ask us if you're not sure.
Train until you're satisfied — or your money back.
$95 · 100% satisfaction guarantee