NRA

BB Gun /Air Rifle

Home Course Instructions
COURSE OUTLINE
& LESSON PLANS
 
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION
Youth Programs
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, Virginia 22030-7400
Telephone: (703) 267-1550; FAX: (703) 267-3999 

Produced by the Youth Programs Department of the

Education & Training Division
A Publication of the National Rifle Association
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See Note Page for Course Introduction, Policies and Conduct.

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See Note Page for Course Introduction, Policies and Conduct.

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See Note Page for Course Introduction, Policies and Conduct.

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See note page for required materials and equipment

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 Next Slide Starts the Presentation
 Follow the prompts on the note pages when
presenting the lessons.

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 NRA
BB Gun /Air Rifle
Home Course Instructions

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 Orientation Goal

To provide beginning shooters with the

knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to shoot
an air rifle safely under the direct supervision of
an Adult.

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NO AMMUNITION
in the classroom

NONE !
Firearms UNLOADED Action OPEN
On the table in front of you
 No pellets/projectiles in the rifle

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 ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
 Policy Regarding no Ammunition in the Classroom
 Restrooms and Drinking Fountains
 Emergency Telephones and Exits
 Policy Regarding Refreshment/Snack
 Schedule for breaks and Lunch
 Air Conditioning and Heating Adjustments
 Policy Regarding Cell Phones or Pagers
 Handbooks

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 Lesson I: Introduction to BB/Air
Rifle Safety, Parts, and Operation
As a result of this lesson, participants will be
able to:
 State the goal of the BB/Air Rifle Home Course
Instructions Class
 Name the three fundamental NRA rules of safe gun
handling and demonstrate them with a specific air
rifle model.
 Name the three major components of an BB gun Air
Rifle and describe their functions.
 Safely demonstrate how to handle a specific BB gun
or Air Rifle in a safe manner. 11
WHAT do you think is the PRIMARY
concern when handling firearms?

SAFETY!!!
is ALWAYS the primary concern
when handling firearms, whether
the guns are located in the home,
at the range or in the field!

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 Major Causes for Accidents

1. Ignorance – the lack of knowledge

of firearm safety or operation

2. Carelessness – Failure to apply

one’s knowledge when handling
firearms!

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 Accidents?

What do you think are the major

causes of gun accidents?

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 NRA Gun Safety Rules

 ALWAYS keep your gun pointed in a safe

direction

 ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger

until ready to shoot

 ALWAYS keep your gun unloaded until

ready to use
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 Rifle Parts…Air Rifle
Barrel Break
Pump Lever
Action

Loading Port Chamber Rear Front Sight

Sight
Grip Barrel
Comb Muzzle

Butt Piercing
Forearm Tube Cap
Toe Trigger Safety
Pellet
Trigger Guard
Magazine

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 Demonstrate Air Rifle
Operation
Instructor demonstration only
 Simulate loading
 Cocking
 Firing “Dry-fire only”
 Check the Owner Manual to ensure you can dry-fire your
air rifle.

 Unloading
During Live-fire on the range, your instructor will load
and unload the air rifle for you.
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 Review
Lesson I – Safety, Parts & Operation

 Safety Gun Handling Rules

 Parts
 Operation

What are your Question?

Next lesson is the Introduction to

Ammunition and the Fundamentals
of Air Rifle Shooting
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 Ammunition and The Fundamentals of Air
Rifle Shooting
As a result of this lesson, participants will be
able to:
 Identify the three items to check to determine the proper
ammunition for their BB/Air Rifle
 Identify and define the two major types of air rifle
malfunctions and explain how to respond safely when
they occur.
 Determine the dominant eye.
 Explain the fundamentals of rifle shooting and
demonstrate them from the benchrest position.

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Ammunition
Parts of the Pellet

Head

Waist

Skirt

Picture from Federal Cartridge

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 Air Rifle Ammunition
Potential ammunition malfunctions
 Air Rifle MISFIRE: AN Air Rifle MISFIRE IS THE FAILURE OF THE
GUN TO PROPEAL THE PELLET OUT OF THE CHAMBER OF THE
GUN.
 Action to take:
• THE GUN SHOULD BE KEPT POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION .
• RAISE YOUR HAND TO NOTIFY THE RANGE SAFETY OFFICE YOU NEED HELP.
• THE INSTRUCTOR WILL DIRECT YOU TO RECOCK THE GUN AND REFIRE.
 Air Rifle SQUIB LOAD: A SQUIB LOAD IS WHEN AN Air Rifle
DEVELOPS LESS THAN NORMAL PRESSURE, AND RESULTS IN THE
PELLET FAILING TO EXIT THE MUZZLE AND LODGING IN THE
BORE.
 IF SIGNS OF A SQUIB LOAD ARE ENCOUNTERED:
• REDUCED NOISE
 Action to take:
• THE GUN SHOULD BE KEPT POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION .
• RAISE YOUR HAND TO NOTIFY THE RANGE SAFETY OFFICE YOU NEED HELP.
• THE INSTRUCTOR WILL DIRECT YOU TO:

 OPEN THE ACTION OF THE Air Rifle

 CHECK THE BORE FOR PELLET.
 KEEP THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION PUSH PELLET OUT OF BARRELL.
 RELOAD AND FIRE.
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 Shooting Fundamentals
Determining the Dominant Eye

 Extend arms forward and form opening between the hands

 With both eyes open, look at a distant object through opening
 Bring hands to face while looking at object – Opening will be aligned
with the dominant eye
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 Bench Rest Position
 Feet flat on the ground with the
legs relaxed.
 Seated directly behind the front
support, leaning slightly
forward.
 Butt of the air rifle in the
shoulder close to neck.
 Elbows on the table to support
the air rifle.
 Support hand under the
Forearm.
 Trigger hand.
 Face firmly against the stock
with eye looking straight down
the sights. 23
 Prone Supported Position
 Position is 45 degrees off the firing line.
 Feet and legs are flat on the ground with the legs relaxed.
 Butt of the air rifle in the shoulder close to neck.
 Elbows on the ground to support the air rifle.
 Support hand under the Forearm.
 Trigger hand.
 Face firmly against the stock with eye looking straight down the sights.

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 Air Rifle Shooting
Fundamentals
1. AIMING (sight alignment & sight picture)

2. BREATH CONTROL

3. HOLD CONTROL

4. TRIGGER CONTROL

5. FOLLOW-THROUGH

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 FUNDAMENTALS “Aiming”
Notch Rear and Post Front Sight

FRONT SIGHT IS IN SHARP FOCUS

Sight Alignment

With Post-and-Notch sights:

The tops of the front and rear sights are
even Sight Picture
6 O'clock Hold on the Bullseye
The front post is centered in the rear
notch
 FUNDAMENTALS “Aiming”
Aperture Rear and Post Front Sight

FRONT SIGHT IS IN SHARP FOCUS

Sight Alignment Sight Picture

Aperture Rear and Post Front Sight 6 O'clock Hold on the Bullseye
The tops of the front is center in the rear
sights aperture
 FUNDAMENTALS “Aiming”
Aperture Rear and Aperture Front Sight

FRONT SIGHT IS IN SHARP FOCUS

Sight Alignment Sight Picture

Aperture Rear and Post Front Sight Bullseye is center in the front
sight aperture
The front aperture is center in the rear
sights aperture
 FUNDAMENTALS “Aiming”
Scope

FOCUS ON THE CROSS HAIRS

Sight Alignment Sight Picture

Looking through the scope , You Cross Hairs are centered on
see the whole scope tube (not just the target
small hole in tube)
 Shooting Fundamentals
Breath Control

Body movement while breathing can

produce gun movement that impairs
shooting.

 Stop breathing momentarily while firing the

shot! (Respiratory pause, a moment between
breaths)

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 Shooting Fundamentals
Hold Control

Body movement affects the shot.

 Hold your body still.
 Hold control allows you to maintain the
proper sight picture and sight alignment
during the process of firing the shot.

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 Shooting Fundamentals
Trigger Control

 Trigger is moved straight to the rear in a

smooth, continuous manner without disturbing
the sight alignment.

 Gradually and evenly increasing pressure until

the BB gun/Air Rifle fires.

SURPRISE yourself when the gun shoots.

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 Shooting Fundamentals
Follow-Through

In Air Rifle Shooting:

Follow-through means to maintain aiming
(perfect sight alignment and acceptable
sight picture), breath control, hold control,
and trigger control until the gun settles
back into the aiming area after firing.

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 Shooting Fundamentals
The Fundamentals…A Review

1. “Maintaining perfect sight alignment and acceptable sight

picture.” – AIMING

2. “Stop breathing.” – BREATH CONTROL

3. “Holding still.” – HOLD CONTROL

4. “Moving only your trigger finger.” – TRIGGER CONTROL

5. maintain position, and continue aiming, breath control,

hold control, and trigger control until the gun settles back
into the aiming area after the shot is fired.” –
FOLLOW-THROUGH
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 Most Important Fundamentals!
NOTE –
The TWO most IMPORTANT shooting
fundamentals are……..

 “Maintaining sight alignment” – AIMING

 “Moving only the trigger finger” – TRIGGER

CONTROL

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 Review
Lesson II – Safety, Parts & Operation

 Identify in the ammunition for your air

rifle
 Ammunition malfunctions
 Eye dominance
 Fundamentals of shooting

What are your Question?

Next lesson is the Introduction

to Rifle Shooting from the Benchrest
Position
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 Lesson III: Introduction to Air Rifle
Shooting from the Benchrest Position
As a result of this lesson, participants will be
able to:
 Understand the range and range layout.
 Explain the three basic range commands, the procedures to
be followed if one has a problem with a firearm or drops
ammunition, and any applicable range rules which apply to
the facility being used. 
 Safely shoot a target from the benchrest position using the
fundamentals of air rifle shooting.

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 Range Safety Briefing

Range layout
 Ready Area
 Firing Line
 Target Area
 Back Stop
 Restroom

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 Range Safety Briefing
NRA 3 Gun Safety Rules
 ALWAYS keep your gun pointed in a safe
direction.

 ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until

ready to shoot.

 ALWAYS keep your gun unloaded until ready to

use.
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 Range Safety Briefing
Range Commands
 “Load”
 “Commence Firing”
 “Cease Firing”
 Problem with Air Rifle

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RULES FOR USING AND STORING
A GUN
 When you are shooting -- whether hunting,
recreational practicing, or competing -- these rules
must always be followed:
1. Know your target and what is beyond
2. Know how to use your gun safely
3. Be sure the gun is safe to operate
RULES FOR USING AND STORING A
GUN Continued”
4. Use only the correct ammunition for your gun
5. Wear eye and hearing protection as appropriate
6. Never use alcohol or drugs before, or while shooting
7. Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized
persons
8. Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting
activities require additional safety precautions.
 At The Firing Point
Eight Steps in learning a shooting position

1. Study the characteristics of the position.

2. Practice the position without the air rifle. Focus on correct position
of body
3. Practice the position with the air rifle.
4. Align position to the target. Adjust the position to the Natural Point
of Aim.
5. Dry-fire at the blank target: Review Aiming, Breath Control, Hold
Control, Trigger Control and Follow-through.
6. Live-fire at the Blank target -five shots
7. Adjust sight (Zero the rifle): Move the group to the center of the
target.
8. Resume live fire exercise
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 Study the characteristics of
the position.
 Feet flat on the ground with the
legs relaxed.
 Seated directly behind the front
support , leaning slightly
forward.
 Butt of the air rifle in the
shoulder close to neck.
 Elbows on the table to support
the air rifle.
 Support hand under the
Forearm.
 Trigger hand holds the grip.
 The entire weigh of your head
should rest on the stock, with
your eye looking straight 44
through the sights.
Practice the Position Without the Air
Rifle
 Pretend you have an invisible air rifle and focus on the correct
position of your body.
 Feet flat on the ground with the legs relaxed.
 Seated directly behind the front support, leaning slightly forward.
 Air Rifle butt firmly in your shoulder close to your neck.
 Elbows on the table to support the air rifle.
 Support hand under the rifle forearm.
 Firm grip on the air rifle with the trigger hand.
 Move your head to the approximate area of the gun stock.

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 Practice the position with the
air rifle.
 ALWAYS keep your gun pointed in a safe direction
 Keep the air rifle pointed straight down range

 ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
 Your trigger finger is straight and positioned along side the receiver

 Focus on correct position of your body.

 Feet flat on the ground with the legs relaxed.
 Sitting directly behind the front support, leaning slightly forward.
 Butt of the air rifle firmly against the shoulder close to your neck.
 Elbows on the table to support the air rifle.
 Support hand under the forearm of the air rifle.
 Firm grip on the air rifle with your trigger hand.
 Face firmly against the stock with eye looking straight down the sights. 46
 Align position to the target
Natural point of aim
 ALIGN THE POSITION TO THE TARGET
 The area on the target that the air rifle naturally points
to when the shooter relaxes in position.
Shooter is pushing the air rifle into the middle of the target, when
relaxed the rifle would naturally lay to the right of the center

Center
of Natural point of aim
target

Shooter is pulling the rifle into the middle of the target, when relaxed the air rifle
would naturally lay to the left of the center (some body adjustment may be
required)
 Dry-fire
 Check your Natural Point of Aim
 Dry-fire at the blank target
 The blank target will help you to focus on sight alignment (the relationship
between the front and rear sights)
 When the trigger breaks the whole position should not move! The front and
rear sight should remain aligned!
 Fundamental of Shooting are:
1. “Maintaining perfect sight alignment and acceptable sight picture.”
2. “Stop breathing.” – respiratory pause
3. “Holding still.” –
4. “Moving only your trigger finger.” –
5. “To maintain position, and continue aiming, breath control, hold control, and
trigger control until the gun settles back into the aiming area after the shot is
fired.” –
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 Live-fire at a blank target
 Exercise Requirements:
 From a benchrest or prone supported position
 Shoot five – three shot groups
 Each group must be small enough to be covered by a quarter to count.
 “Commence Firing”
 Inspect down range area prior to commencing fire to ensure no one is down
range.
 “Cease Firing”
 Inspect each air rifle to ensure they empty prior to letting anyone go down
range to change targets.

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Resume live fire exercise
at Bullseye Target
 Resume live firing exercise
 Requirements:
 From a benchrest, or prone, supported position
 Shoot five – five shot groups
 Each five shot group must be smaller than a quarter and in the center of the
bullseye to count.

 “Commence Firing”
 Inspect down range area prior to commencing shooting to ensure no one is
down range.
 “Cease Firing”
 Inspect each air rifle to ensure it is empty prior to letting anyone go down
range to change targets.
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 Adjusting the sights
“Zeroing the air rifle”
 Calling the shot, using the "Clock System."
 Locate the center of the group.
 Use the clock system to locate shots
 Move the rear in the direction you want to move the impact.
12 1 STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3
11

10

9
x 3

8 4

7 5 Rear Sight Move left Move Down

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 Review
Lesson III: Introduction to Air Rifle Shooting
from the Benchrest Position

 What are the three basic range

commands?
 8 NRA Rules to be followed when
shooting and storing an air rifle
 What have you learned from your
practice of the fundamentals of air rifle
shooting?
What are your Questions?
Next lesson is the Introduction to
Cleaning, Storage, and Training
Opportunities
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 Lesson IV: Introduction to Air Rifle Cleaning,
Storage, and Training Opportunities
As a result of this lesson, participants will be
able to:
 Importance of Cleaning your firearm.
 Outline the three safety guidelines to be followed when cleaning an
air rifle.
 Identify materials needed to clean an air rifle.
 Explain and demonstrate how to clean an air rifle safely.
 Name the NRA rule for safe firearm storage, and discuss options for applying
this rule when storing an air rifle.
 Discuss the hygienic guidelines to be followed concerning exposure to
airborne particulate lead, or cleaning solvents.
 Discuss the benefits of receiving additional air rifle training through the NRA
Basic Firearm Training Program.

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 Importance of Cleaning
Purpose of Cleaning

 Remove metal fouling

 Remove rust & crud

 Protect the air rifle from rust, corrosion and wear

 Make sure air rifle is correctly assembled and functions properly

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 Air Rifle Cleaning
Materials

1. Gun Oil. (designed for Air Guns)

2. Clean cloth.
3. Small brush.
4. Other materials as indicated by Owners Manual.

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 Safety Guidelines While
Cleaning

 The action must be

open
 The gun must be
unloaded
 BB’s and Pellets
must not be present
in the area

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Air Rifle Cleaning
Procedures
1. Consult your owners manual for the proper cleaning procedure for
your air rifle.
2. Use small brush and solvent to clean other parts and metal
surfaces. (Air Gun Solvent only)
3. Be careful to not get solvent on seals.
4. Wipe metal parts with a lightly oiled cloth.

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 Hygienic guideline to be followed for exposure to
airborne particulate lead, or cleaning solvents
 Hygiene Considerations
 Avoid eating, drinking or putting anything in you mouth while
shooting or cleaning BB/air guns
 After shooting and cleaning BB/air guns, wash hands and face with
cold water and soap, before eating or drinking.
 Change clothes and shower after a shooting session

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 Air Rifle Storage
NRA Rule: Store guns so they are not accessible to
unauthorized persons

1. LOCK IT UP! Safe

- Lockable gun case or rug
- Trigger lock
- Any lockable box
2. Store guns and ammunition
separately Lock Box
Locking gun case

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 Next Steps
Additional Training
 NRA Basic Rifle and Pistol Training Program Site
 www.nrainstructors.org
 Additional NRA Opportunities
 http://home.nra.org/#/nraorg/wall/education_training
 National Rifle Association Membership
 http://home.nra.org/#/nraorg/custom/membership_imagema
 Other shooting Activities
 Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program
www.nrahq.org/education/training/marksmanship/index.asp

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 Optional Slides
 Use the following slides to teach
 How to use a sling
 Prone Position with the sling
 Standing position
 Sitting position
 Kneeling position

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 THE LOOP SLING
 The loop sling takes longer to assume, but adds more support to the position.
 PRONE POSITION
2.
3.
CONSISTENCY
1. Head position 4.
2. Shooting hand 1.
3. Non-shooting hand 5.
4. Rifle butt position
5. Elbow support

Left arm is extended

Spine is elbow is close in,
Left leg is parallel
straight but not the under rifle
to spine Head
level
Right leg is
parallel to left leg
Right arm
Right leg
is extended
drawn up
elbow is out to the right
 STANDING POSITION

Head level

Bone structure with the edition of a

support object can build a steadier
standing position than just using body
structure.
 STANDING POSITION

1
Bone structure for support

4.

2 3.

CONSISTENCY
5.
1. Head position
2. Shooting hand
3. Non-shooting hand
4. Rifle butt position
5. Elbow support
 SITTING POSITION
CONSISTENCY in position 1. 2. 3.
1. Head position
4.
2. Shooting hand
3. Non-shooting hand
4. Rifle butt position
5. Elbow support
5.

1. 2. 3. Cross-leg Supported Position

4.
4. 1. 2. 3.

5.
Cross-
Cross-Leg
Position
Ankle
5. Position
 KNEELING
POSITION
SUPPORTED
CONSISTENCY in position
KNEELING
1. Head position
2. Shooting hand
3. Non-shooting hand
4. Rifle butt position
5. Elbow support

Bone structure with the

addition of a support
object

can build a steadier

kneeling position than just
using body structure.
 KNEELING
POSITION Continued
CONSISTENCY in position
1. Head position
2. Shooting hand SUPPORTED
3. Non-shooting hand KNEELING
4. Rifle butt position
5. Elbow support 1. 2. 3.

Bone structure with

the addition of a 4.
support object 3.

can build a steadier 5.

kneeling position than
just using body
structure.
Winchester/NRA Marksmanship
Qualification Program
 A recreational shooting activity that provides
incentive awards for developing and improving
marksmanship skills.
 Progression is self-paced and scores are challenging
but attainable.

 http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/marksmansh
ip/qualbook.pdf#page=22
 http://materials.nrahq.org/go/home.aspx

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 Lesson Conclusion
 WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS?

 Present the Home Course Instructions Air Rifle

Completion Certificate.

 Thank you for participating in the firearms training

programs of the National Rifle Association.

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 Air Rifle 3-Position
In the American Rifleman Qualification Course, air rifle
shooters have two courses to choose from.
 American Rifleman 3-Position Aggregate Course
 American Rifleman 3-Position Stage Skill Course

 http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/marksmanship/qu
albook.pdf#page=22

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