Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Classroom Practices
Discussions on the following subjects are not tolerated during class; this is a class for learning to utilize
the firearm as a defensive tool.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Politics
Religion
Personal life
Caliber or firearm type (outside of general effectiveness and good practice)
This class is meant to assist you in becoming a positive member of the shooting community. My sole
goal as your instructor is to help you all understand the benefits and responsibilities of owning a firearm
and learning how to carry one safely, and successfully.
Times are included as guidelines and may not be exactly adhered to depending on changes that may
need to occur.
Jesse Mathewson |2
Equipment Necessary
1. Handgun (functioning handgun semiautomatic, or revolver)
2. Sufficient holster for the handgun, no shoulder holsters or backwards canted holsters per range
insurance
3. 3 Magazines will be a benefit; however, for those who utilize a revolver, at least two additional
speed loaders and 2 magazines are a minimum requirement.
4. Magazine retention devices, belt clips, belt pouches and more may be brought but are not
required.
5. 200 rounds of ammunition specific to the handgun you have brought
6. LUNCH
7. Plenty of Water! (2 +gallons a day)
8. Sun lotion (recommended 45 SPF or higher)
9. Foldup chair (umbrella may be desired for personal comfort)
10. Hat with a brim or bill is required.
11. Eye protection, sunglasses/ shooting glasses
12. Ear protection (foam inserts, over ear protection)
13. NO OPEN TOED FOOTWEAR
Ask for additional requirements as decided prior to class
Feedback
Positive meaningful feedback will be provided on a regular, individual basis to each person, each
instructor has been selected for their ability to shoot and communicate that knowledge and experience
to others in a meaningful way. There is never a benefit in making derogatory remarks or approaches
when training. Our goal as instructors is to assist each student in becoming better acquainted with the
proper use of a firearm and the benefits of understanding the proper approach to utilizing a firearm for
defense.
Course Description
The Basic Handgun Safety and Understanding course is specifically designed to introduce individuals
with little to no experience in handgun use. Throughout the course emphasis will be placed on safety,
safe handling and safe direction. This course is the First Step of a Two Day course to the rest of your life
as an armed individual.
Jesse Mathewson |3
If you forget rule one, but remember rule two, there will be no injury or property damage.
If you forget rule two, but remember rule one, there will be no injury or property damage.
1. How to hold the firearm
a. Dominate hand should be firmly seated with the webbing of the hand tight under the curve
at the top of the grip
b. The meat of the palm should be towards the back of the grip, it is important to maintain as
much skin on grip contact as possible
c. The bottom three fingers should wrap tightly under the trigger guard firmly touching the
bottom of the trigger guard and clasping the grip
d. The trigger or index finger (otherwise known as the safety) should be laying along the frame
above the trigger guard, a slight crook in this finger allows stronger retention
e. The thumb can be either pointed up or alongside the opposite lower side of the frame from
the index finger. This is up to the individual though some firearms are known for their desire
to eat your thumb if it is too high.
f. The support hand should be placed with the meat of the hand in the gap between the finger
tips and the meat of your dominate hand on the opposite side of the grip.
g. Wrap all four fingers around the front and underneath the trigger guard again firmly placing
them against the underside of the trigger guard and wrapped over the three fingers from
the dominate hand
h. The alternate thumb should be underneath the dominate hands thumb, it is important to
not cross these digits as this will not aid in a firm platform
Jesse Mathewson |4
i.
Utilizing a crushed grip or a very firm grip one may assume that this grip will in fact
provide a strong platform for shooting and doing so accurately.
2. Drawing the firearm
a. Proper carry for each individual
b. Draw from CCW carry,
I.
support hand grasps clothing over firearm and pulls up
II.
dominate, gun hand, placed firmly over butt of pistol
III.
strong, solid, seated grasp
IV.
Ensure finger is OUTSIDE and above the trigger guard alongside the frame, either
straight or slightly crooked.
V.
Draw straight out of the holster
VI.
Rotate the barrel slightly forward and point in the direction of the target with your
hands close to body
VII.
Meet the dominate hand with the support hand and complete the grip as you
extend the firearm towards the target
VIII.
If you are in a solid stance you will find a solid draw allows you to be aiming at the
target regardless of sights at this time
c. Draw from open carry
I.
Place dominate hand on firearm,
II.
Strong, solid, seated grasp
III.
Mimic steps IV-VII above
d. Practice draw
I.
Practice drawing from current holster AFTER visually checking and verbally agreeing
on empty state of firearm
II.
A minimum of 10 cold reps, (cold means NO AMMUNITION in or near the firearm)
e. Additional holsters addressed as necessary depending on mode of carry
3. Stances
a. verify students strong side/eye (dominate hand/ eye)
b. Show the three main holds and stances (explain this is not set in stone and should adjust to
each individual- during this phase INCORPORATE crush grip and proper grip techniques into
instruction on holds.)
c. Isosceles Hold Triangle arms in front of body fully extended weight may be neutral or even
back, Modern Iso Hold weight shifts more aggressively forward using instructors show why
weight distribution is important
d. Weaver stance Both elbows bent, pistol (dominant) hand pushes forward with firearm
while support arm pulls back creating tension theoretically allowing better shooting, body is
at a 45 to the target, Modified Weaver simply locks the dominant hand/arm straight out.
e. Offhand, Bullseye One hand, strong hand, facing sideways to target arm extended
4. Sight acquisition, usage and understanding
a. Explain what the sights are and using the students firearms allows them to discover this for
themselves.
Jesse Mathewson |5
b. Show them stress fire indexing, focused on target, handgun comes up into stance/grip
viewing the front sight not the full picture. Within 15 yards this is a reasonably solid
approach to shooting under pressure.
c. Show each proper sighting techniques for less stress based shooting, 6 oclock hold, center
hold etc.
d. Show proper trigger management- gentle, slow and steady squeeze straight back into the
frame until the firing pin is released- DRY FIRE practice for FIVE MINUTES!
e. Ensure they understand that their firearm should be properly sighted in before use
This short amount of shooting should allow students to both checks their stances, grips and
sights as well as to show them the difference that distance makes in ability to shoot small
groups, it should help them understand that they may need to slow down even further the
longer the distance.
Jesse Mathewson |6
Jesse Mathewson |7
With 45 rounds the object is to score all rounds inside the A zone of the target, this is possible
and attainable if the students follow the instruction given.
Jesse Mathewson |8